England has selected Ahmed as their third spinner for the crucial Test against Pakistan

On Tuesday, England announced the selection of Rehan Ahmed as their third slow bowler for the series-deciding final Test against Pakistan, taking place on a dry pitch in Rawalpindi that is expected to favor spin. The 20-year-old leg-spinner will join left-arm spinner Jack Leach and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to form a three-pronged spin attack when the match begins on Thursday. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1, following England's victory in the first Test by an innings and 47 runs in Multan.

Pakistan utilized the same pitch for the second Test, which they won by 152 runs, with their spinners claiming all 20 wickets. As part of the team changes, seam bowler Gus Atkinson has been recalled, while fast bowlers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts have been dropped.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed, "There are two changes from the second Test in Multan with seamer Gus Atkinson returning and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed being included."

Ahmed made a significant impact on his Test debut in Karachi during England's dominant 3-0 series win over Pakistan in 2022, taking five wickets. This marks his return to the squad for the first time since playing against India in Rajkot earlier this year. England's decision to add a third spinner comes in response to the grassless pitch prepared at Rawalpindi, where Pakistan has used industrial-sized fans and patio heaters to dry the playing surface.

The England team for the third Test is as follows: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.