England’s young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has set his sights on establishing himself as a genuine all-rounder, with hopes of earning a place in this year’s Ashes lineup.

The 21-year-old acknowledged bowling remains his main strength but underlined his determination to contribute significantly with the bat. “I still see myself as a bowler who can bat, but I want to excel at both. Whether it takes time or comes quickly, I’ll keep pushing to become the best all-rounder I can,” Ahmed said.

His growing confidence with the bat follows an impressive run of five first-class centuries. “If I stay long enough at the crease, I’ll always find ways to score. I’m surprised I’ve managed to keep my focus for five hundred, but I’m delighted,” he noted.

While comparisons are often drawn with Australia’s Steve Smith—who also began as a leg-spinning all-rounder—Ahmed insists he aims to strike a balance between the two skills. “Leg-spin is an art you can never completely master. I love bowling, but I also want to score runs and take wickets in the same matches,” he explained.

Speaking on the Ashes, Ahmed admitted the prospect excites him but remained realistic about his chances. “I’ve never played in Australia, but it looks incredible. If I’m selected, I’ll give it everything. If not, I trust the management’s decision—it’ll still be a fantastic series to watch.”