Farhan Ahmed, the young finger-spinning prodigy from Nottinghamshire, is rapidly carving out a name for himself in English cricket. At just 17, he has already achieved remarkable feats, including becoming the first Notts bowler to claim a T20 Blast hat-trick. His older brother, Rehan Ahmed, a leg-spinner for Leicestershire, has also made headlines as England's youngest male player to be capped in all three formats.

Early Achievements

Farhan's journey began when he became the youngest player to feature for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship at the age of 16. His performance against Surrey, where he claimed 10 wickets, was a testament to his potential. Rehan, on the other hand, achieved his milestone at 18, showcasing the family's knack for age-defying displays.

Sibling Rivalry and Support

The Ahmed brothers have thrived at rival counties, each specializing in different arts of spin bowling. Farhan is an off-spinner, while Rehan excels as a leg-spinner and a proper batter. Despite their rivalry, they share a common goal: to play together for England. Farhan credits Rehan for his rapid development, stating, "The last two years have been very special and my development has gone higher because of him."

Memorable Moments

The T20 Blast has provided some memorable moments for the brothers. In June, Rehan faced Farhan's bowling on his way to a maiden T20 half-century, helping Leicestershire secure a victory against Nottinghamshire. Later in the competition, Farhan snatched two match-winning runs for Notts Outlaws against Leicestershire, evading his older brother to seal the win.

Expert Opinions

Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores has praised Farhan's composure and decision-making skills, likening his mental age to that of a 26 or 27-year-old. Moores described Farhan as an "exciting young player" with a "high ceiling" as a cricketer.

Future Prospects

Both brothers have been called up for the England Lions, and while they did not get a chance to play together in the recent series against India A, their paths are undoubtedly aligned for future international success. As Farhan aptly put it, "We see the bigger picture, we see England really and I hope that comes up in future."

Additional reporting by BBC East Midlands Today's Adam Whitty and BBC Radio Nottingham's Dave Bracegirdle.