ByMatthew HenryBBC Sport journalist in Colombo<\/p>\n
England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed played down his hopes of selection for the T20 World Cup semi-finals despite his crucial role in Friday's win over New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Making his World Cup debut, Ahmed, 21, took a wicket with his first ball and then scored a crucial 19 not out to secure victory in England's chase<\/a> in partnership with Will Jacks.<\/p>\n As a spinner, he was brought into the XI for the turning conditions in Colombo but England's semi-final is likely to be on a truer surface in Mumbai on Thursday.<\/p>\n "I'm not too bothered about my place in the team," said Ahmed, who became England's youngest men's Test cricketer in 2022.<\/p>\n "Baz [coach Brendon McCullum] and Brooky [captain Harry Brook] will definitely put out the best team they think is going to win, as they did [against New Zealand]. <\/p>\n "It's not a personal thing for me – it's a World Cup, it's my first World Cup to be in. <\/p>\n "I'll just keep enjoying the ride, if I get the nod I'll play and if not then I'll give water to the boys."<\/p>\n 'Baz said play like Sehwag' – an England win that felt like the good times<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Jacks & Ahmed carry England to another thrilling win<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Who needs what to reach T20 World Cup semi-finals?<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Against New Zealand, Ahmed ignited a chase that was struggling in the final overs by hitting his second ball for six. <\/p>\n He also struck Mitchell Santner for four with a fine reverse sweep and clubbed the left-arm spinner over long-off for another six.<\/p>\n It meant England were able to win with three balls to spare and progress through the Super 8s phase unbeaten. <\/p>\n The performance has also led to some calls for Ahmed to keep his place on Thursday – a match likely to be against co-hosts India or West Indies – but fitting the youngster into England's team would be difficult.<\/p>\n The returns of pace bowlers and spinners have been far more balanced at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, compared with Colombo where spin has dominated.<\/p>\n Without seamer Jamie Overton returning, England could be exposed with Jofra Archer and Sam Curran as their only pace options.<\/p>\n Ahmed's success with the bat against the Black Caps raises the possibility of him batting in the top seven – but again that is not straightforward.<\/p>\n A switch with out-of-form opener Jos Buttler<\/a> may seem obvious but Ahmed has only batted as an opener once in his T20 career – for Leicestershire against Northamptonshire in 2023. <\/p>\n He has batted most regularly at number three – a position currently filled by captain Harry Brook – and after that most of his experience has been at seven or eight. <\/p>\n Pushing Tom Banton or Jacob Bethell up to open and slotting Ahmed into the middle order would be a huge gamble backed up by little evidence.<\/p>\n And while Ahmed's bowling performance was good – he took 2-28 including the wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Cole McConchie – the deeper analysis compares less favourably to fellow leg-spinner Adil Rashid.<\/p>\n According to data from analysts CricViz, nine of Rashid's deliveries were missed or edged compared to two of Ahmed's. Rashid also had a significantly better control of length.<\/p>\n That makes it unlikely England would pick Ahmed over Liam Dawson, who has offered control to Brook throughout.<\/p>\n Ahmed made his Test debut as an 18-year-old and has been a regular member of England white-ball squads since, but his opportunities have been limited by first-choice leg-spinner Rashid.<\/p>\n He has played only 13 of England's 53 T20s since his debut – but this was his best performance to date.<\/p>\n "I just want to make an impression whenever I do get the chance," Ahmed said.<\/p>\n "I know the team balance right now is great and that's why we are where we are. <\/p>\n "I'm very easy. I was very, very happy when I did get the chance to try and win a game for England, not for me personally, just to win a game."<\/p>\n What information do we collect from this quiz?<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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