Raheem Ahmed, a talented left-arm seamer and notable sibling of England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, has made a return to Leicestershire with a two-year rookie contract. This signing comes four years after being released from the club’s academy. At 23, Raheem is the middle brother, with his younger sibling Farhan playing as an off-spinner for Nottinghamshire.
Rehan has previously praised Raheem, stating in 2022, “He’s very good. I’m not just saying it, because I’d never say it in front of him, but he’s actually quite good – better than he thinks he is, anyway.” Back then, Rehan was gearing up for his Test debut against Pakistan.
Unlike Rehan and Farhan, Raheem didn’t jump into professional cricket as a teenager. Instead, he honed his skills in club cricket playing for Cavaliers and Carrington in the Nottinghamshire Premier League, and both Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire’s second XIs. Leicestershire’s recent announcement also included the contracts of Ali Farooq, a left-arm spinner with an England Under-19s cap, and Theo Marshall, a seamer.
Leicestershire’s head of talent pathway, Jigar Naik, expressed his satisfaction: “It’s been a pleasure to watch Ali and Theo progress through the pathway and take their opportunities in the Second XI. It’s also particularly pleasing to see Raheem earn a contract after leaving the Academy in 2022. He’s worked hard to get back into the professional game and can be proud of what he’s achieved.”
The Ahmed siblings make a striking example as it’s rare but not unheard of for three brothers to feature simultaneously in county cricket. Previously, the Curran brothers—Tom, Sam, and Ben—shared similar limelight before Ben shifted to representing Zimbabwe.
Leicestershire has had its challenges, recently confirming their relegation to Division Two of the County Championship. This followed an unsuccessful appeal against a 19-point deduction for preparing a sub-par pitch.
Raheem Ahmed’s signing marks a significant step in his career, while also adding a unique family dynamic to the Leicestershire squad. It presents an exciting opportunity for cricket fans to watch the Ahmed brothers, each contributing their distinct flair to the game.
