Off-spinner Bashir’s father was born in Pakistan and his mother in the UK. Both of leg-spinner Ahmed’s parents were born in Pakistan. His older brother Raheem has been on the books of Rehan’s county Leicestershire, while 16-year-old younger brother Farhan took 10 wickets on his first-class debut for Nottinghamshire in August.
Though Ahmed did not play in the first Test, when England piled on 823-7 declared, his father Naeem was at the game.
Bashir: “Obviously Pakistan is our heritage. I was born in England, so I’ve always been an England fan. Whenever Pakistan played India or whoever, I supported Pakistan. I loved watching the Ashes and highlights of England cricket. Pakistan was my second team.”
Ahmed: “Growing up in England, England was my first team, but I do really like the Pakistan team and I used to watch them a lot. It’s my second home. My grandma and dad’s brothers all live here and I saw my grandma last night. I’ve got a big family here and it was nice to see them.
“In that first Test when we got 800 against Pakistan, my dad left the stadium and went back home, four hours away, because he couldn’t see his team getting anything.
“He tries to hide that he doesn’t care, but I can tell that he doesn’t want his team to lose. He always want us to do well, but he doesn’t want us to do that well where his team ends up losing.”