COVERED 2025 Spring

13 JOIN OUR MAILING LIST FOR ALL THE LATEST: TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK/MAILINGLIST “GROWING UP WITH MY BROTHERS , I HAD ALL BASES COVERED IN A CRICKETING SENSE. I WAS ABLE TO PRACTISE BOWLING TO A RIGHT- HANDER WITH REHAN, AND THEN TO A LEFT-HANDER WITH RAHEEM.” Farhan Ahmed FARHAN AHMED “My mum has had a huge impact on teaching me lessons for life and has been so supportive; when it comes to things like school, getting from A to B for my cricket, my religion and going to the mosque, she drove that forward. “What she taught me was that it isn’t necessarily about how well you do, but how hard you try. It’s a valuable message which I’ve always stood by; if I’ve put my best effort in, then I’ve done what I can and the rest is in God’s hands. “Growing up with my brothers, I had all bases covered in a cricketing sense. I was able to practise bowling to a right-hander with Rehan, and then to a left-hander with Raheem (also part of Nottinghamshire’s pathway), which was really helpful for my development. “Then there are my sisters who have always been there for us, and my grandad who has been so involved with teaching me core values and lessons of life.Their input has been invaluable.” That familial grounding has helped Ahmed, who only turned 17 in February, become something of an experienced hand for England’s Under 19s – and make a senior Lions debut last summer. But that ‘no fear’ approach is in evidence again as he discusses the benefits of playing alongside the country’s best rising talent, many of whom are three years his senior. “When I went to the Under-19World Cup last year, I’d played with a lot of them previously, and everyone looked out for each other and stuck together as a group,” he says. “It wasn’t a daunting experience at all; it was more that we were excited about what we could potentially achieve together. “Playing against older lads is really good for accelerating your development.When playing in higher age groups, you tend to learn so much more off the older players compared to when you’re playing with players your own age. “I’m also extremely grateful to Notts that they allowed me to continue playing in age groups higher than mine throughout my time in the pathway, as