History could repeat itself in Pakistan with England handing a Test debut to a spinner 17 years after they did the same for Shaun Udal in 2005.
Although, were Rehan Ahmed to play on Thursday, he would be getting the small matter of an 18-year headstart on Udal who was 36 when he was handed his first cap by Marcus Trescothick in Multan.
And Udal reckons Ahmed’s leg spin could be just the ticket for England in a country where extreme pace, reverse swing and mystery spin are the key weapons on pitches that have traditionally been docile and ideal for batting.
“That’s what you need in Pakistan if the pitches are anything like they were when we toured in 2005,” said Udal. “Good luck to Rehan, I hope it all works out very well for him, and he gets every success if he plays, because that is the sort of thing you need in Pakistan. Sheer pace with reverse swing and wrist spin.
“He looks a good young talent and they’ve picked him in the touring squad on his own merits. He’s not just a fill-in or a standby, he is in the squad so he has a chance to play. The England boys won’t have seen too much of him so the Pakistani batters definitely won’t, even though they are good players of spin.
“I had a bit of a tough time in Pakistan as a finger spinner without much assistance, but I did enough to get another go in India and create some great memories in Mumbai. It was great to come into that dressing room and be made to feel so welcome by Freddie Flintoff and Steve Harmison and the guys.”
It was in India where Udal had his crowning moment in 2006, playing a match-winning role in levelling a series under Andrew Flintoff, although it was to be his last game for England. Now 53, Udal will be watching on with great interest from home, supporting the team he used to play for, but doing so while he faces his greatest challenge, dealing with Parkinson’s disease.
It has been a rough few years for Udal following his diagnosis, and when we speak he is nursing a badly bruised elbow as a result of a fall caused by the condition. The memories of that Test win in India, the icing on the cake of a two decade career, are still fresh, but so too are the loss of his brother and his mother last year, as well as the passing of his great friend Shane Warne.
“It has not been the greatest of times,” admits Udal. “Warnie had such a massive influence on my life and career and is a huge reason why I got picked for England. I can’t believe he’s gone.
“I was worried it would be the end of my career when Warnie came to Hampshire, but he told me he would play two spinners and he was true to his word. He was my biggest supporter. He made me believe I could still play Test cricket and backed me completely. Even when I needed support in India, he was on the phone the night before we won the game with words of encouragement.
“I’ve got to deal with the toughest test of my life now and I know that Warnie and my mum and brother would want me to face it as best I could and that is what I’m trying to do, but it is hard.
“It is hard on the family and my friends, but they have been brilliant. As too have the Professional Cricketers Association with support, but it has been very dark at times too. Dealing with those moments on your own and overcoming the mental torment is not easy, but I’m doing it as best as I can and working with Sport Parkinsons and Parkinsons UK is a help.”
Visit Parkinsons.org.uk to find out more and donate
