Many years ago Naeem Ahmed once drove Brendon McCullum and his family to the airport when he was working for a five star hotel in Bangalore.
The next time they met the former Kiwi cricketer asked him to come and join his team’s huddle on the Gaddafi Stadium outfield where his son would become the youngest ever men’s Test cricketer for England.
It was a beautiful moment as former England skipper Nasser Hussain did the honours in the team huddle and presented his son Rehan with cap No. 710, and the first of many in a hopefully lengthy career.
And as soon as he had it on his head, it came with a kiss and a bear hug from his proud dad who admitted it was the best moment of his life so far to see his son become a Test player. “That moment, I didn’t realise I would be on the ground for it and standing in the huddle with the players,” said Ahmed senior.
“I thought they meant for me to be on the side while it happened, but not actually in the huddle, so when they got me in there it was just amazing. It is a moment I am never going to forget in my life. It was the best moment I ever had so far and I really enjoyed it.”
As a fast bowling club cricket all rounder himself and qualified cricket coach he has encouraged his son’s passion for the game as much as any parent could, although he admits the leg spinning skills have come naturally through hard work.
And those skills worked a treat when he captured his first Test wicket, finally relaxing into his work after a tense start. “When he was 8 or 9 years old I could see that as a cricketer he had something special,” he added.
“Bowling leg-spin was his choice. He did that naturally and I just encouraged him to bowl. I could see he had good fingers, a good wrist and a good action so I just encouraged him and he added the varieties.
“It was a nice first wicket, a really proud moment, and I really enjoyed it. The googly first and then the leg spinner. I had to get out of my seat, I was so happy.”
