The 20-year-old has had a meteoric rise to the Running Foxes’ first team, making his debut as a 16-year-old against Yorkshire in last season’s Royal London One-Day Cup, while also representing England U19s at the World Cup in the West Indies this winter.
Ahmed was handed his Leicestershire debut during last season’s 50-over competition, taking five wickets and averaging 44.5 with the bat in an impressive seven-game campaign.
The all-rounder started his LCCC career at Under 15 level, catching the eye with a string of notable performances, none more so than his match-winning 134no alongside four wickets in 10 overs against Derbyshire’s U18s.
Ahmed was also named in the County Select squad which played against India at Chester-le-Street in July, before he was fast tracked to the Running Foxes’ first team for the One-Day Cup in August.
On the international stage, the teenager has represented the Three Lions U19’s side on 13 occasions since debuting last September, with a high score of 68 not out against West Indies at Canterbury in the final match of the series.
He starred at the ICC Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, taking 12 wickets in four innings, as his match-defining spell in the semi-final against Afghanistan saw the leg-spinner take three wickets in an over to turn the tide.
His recognition as one of the most exciting prospects on the county circuit was rewarded earlier this month with a contract for this summer’s Hundred, as reigning champions Southern Brave drafted Ahmed to aid the defence of their title.