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Rehan Ahmed defended Jos Buttler\u2019s captaincy following criticism of his tactical acumen by Sir Alastair Cook after England started their tour of the Caribbean on a losing note.<\/p>\n
Several of Buttler\u2019s decisions were scrutinised during a calamitous World Cup defence and England\u2019s new era in ODIs made a false start as they were beaten by a Shai Hope-inspired West Indies on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Having been strangled by spin duo Ahmed and Liam Livingstone, the Windies needed 101 in the last nine overs but they feasted on England\u2019s pace bowlers to win with four wickets and seven balls to spare.<\/p>\n
Cook, the former England captain and their record Test run-scorer, wondered on TNT Sports afterwards whether Buttler could have juggled his resources better during the Windies\u2019 successful chase and deployed Will Jacks\u2019 off-spin in the middle overs to take the pressure off the seamers at the death.<\/p>\n
But 19-year-old leg-spinner Ahmed said: \u201cJos is an unbelievable captain. It\u2019s just his call.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were in a great position by the end of it. It wasn\u2019t like there was bad decisions throughout the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think you can put anything down to Jacksy not bowling. I felt like we were always in the game even right to the end.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just didn\u2019t execute at the end. We were always still in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buttler\u2019s lean patch with the bat also continued at the weekend after being dismissed for three, his fifth single figure score in eight innings while he is averaging 14.1 since the start of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Ahmed said: \u201cEvery time I bowl to him in the nets, he smacks me everywhere. Some people can be short of runs sometimes but he\u2019s still Jos Buttler. He\u2019s probably the best white-ball player I\u2019ve bowled to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sam Curran felt the full might of the Windies\u2019 power hitting as he leaked 98 from 9.5 overs and the most expensive ODI figures by an England bowler came with the extra indignity of being pummelled for three sixes in four balls as unbeaten centurion Hope got his side over the line.<\/p>\n
Curran\u2019s fortunes have nosedived since being named player of the tournament in England\u2019s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign last year.<\/p>\n
Dropped after three innocuous showings at the 50-over World Cup \u2013 averaging 11.66 and 70 with bat and ball respectively \u2013 the 25-year-old made an important 38 off 26 balls at the weekend, although that was overshadowed by what followed.<\/p>\n
Ahmed, who was the pick of England\u2019s attack with two for 40, has backed Curran to demonstrate his resilience in the second ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAfter losing a game and if you\u2019ve been hit around then I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be very happy with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing is, Sam is an unbelievable player \u2013 everyone knows he is as well, so I\u2019m sure the next game he\u2019ll probably get a five-for, he\u2019ll be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is understood Ahmed\u2019s younger brother Farhan will be selected on Tuesday in England\u2019s squad for the Under-19 World Cup, which is set to be held in South Africa from January 13 to February 4 next year.<\/p>\n
The 15-year-old is an off-spinner by trade and although his elder sibling cracked a couple of jokes at his expense, there is the prospect of two Ahmeds in an England side in the future.<\/p>\n
Ahmed joked: \u201cHe bowls a lot of dot balls so he\u2019ll be quite boring and I don\u2019t expect (him to hit) too many sixes. But no, I\u2019m very happy for him, he\u2019s very young and he\u2019s been picked for such a big thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s quite exciting for an off-spinner, which is quite surprising. But I think he\u2019ll go well. I\u2019m very chuffed for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI play with my older brother and younger brother and dad in club cricket and it\u2019s the best ever feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs many of us that can play together it\u2019s always going to be good. Whether it\u2019s for England for county for school for a club, anything.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying alongside family is always a great feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n