Rehan Ahmed was hailed for upping the ante in a match‑winning performance that saw England pull off a thrilling victory over New Zealand at the T20 World Cup.
Recalled to the side for his tournament debut in Colombo, the 21‑year‑old leg-spinner removed Rachin Ravindra with his very first delivery before claiming Cole McConchie's wicket, finishing with figures of 2-28 from his three overs.
The Leicestershire all-rounder followed that with an inspired 19 not out off seven balls, sparking an unbroken seventh‑wicket stand of 44 from 16 balls with Will Jacks as their big‑hitting partnership steered England to victory with three balls to spare.
"We've seen what Rehan can do in the nets," England captain Harry Brook said. "He's gone out there and played beautifully to take the game away from New Zealand."
Barring an unlikely sequence of results, the victory secured a semi‑final showdown with either tournament co‑hosts India or the West Indies in Mumbai after England finished top of their group with three wins from three.
Asked whether Ahmed had done enough to retain his place for next Thursday's match at Wankhede Stadium - live on Your Site - Brook added: "[There are] conversations to be had.
"We said to the group at the start of the competition that we would select based on conditions. We thought this was the perfect opportunity to bring Rehan in, and he did an amazing job."
Jacks revealed how a six from his partner‑in‑crime Ahmed laid the foundations for a 22‑run Glenn Phillips over that paved England's route to victory.
"It was about keeping it simple. Rehan played a brilliant innings," Jacks said after winning a record fourth T20 World Cup player‑of‑the‑match award.
"Everyone who came out on that pitch struggled straight away; it took time to get the pace of it. But that six he hit second ball upped the ante, put them on the back foot, and I was able to play off him.
"After an over from Phillips we spoke about needing to take a risk. [The run rate] was 15 an over. We spoke about hitting the gaps hard and running hard. We picked up a couple of twos that were crucial."
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner singled out Ahmed's adeptness on a Colombo surface where run‑scoring was difficult.
"It was a good match, a tight match," he said. "The way England paced their chase, and the way Jacks and Ahmed put the finishing touch on it, was a good bit of batting.
"Rehan has shown his class with the bat over the last couple of years. He's a good player of spin, so he wasn't really fazed by the wicket."
Michael Atherton said Ahmed added value to an England side that came to the boil against New Zealand and may be peaking at the right time after a flawless Super 8 phase.
Former England international Moeen Ali noted Ahmed's recent development and how his willingness to take risks inspired his team.
"His batting over the last 12 to 18 months has gone through the roof," he said. "He's going really well for Leicester and has done well in The Hundred.
"To come out in that situation, needing 46 from three overs, and play the way he played - he's just confident.
"As soon as he hit that first six, took that risk, he gave everyone a bit of belief. You could feel the momentum shifting towards England."
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