AHMED ACE UP SLEEVE BESIDE JACKS

Rehan a debut smasher after Baz's walkie-talkie pointers

- BY DAVID CHARLESWORTH

REHAN AHMED revealed that Brendon McCullum ordered him to bat like India's master blaster Virender Sehwag - before England pulled off a huge T20 World Cup heist.

The 21-year-old Ahmed marked his World Cup debut by taking a first-ball wicket, finishing with 2-28 after replacing Jamie Overton for England's final Super 8 match against New Zealand.

But his side were staring defeat in the face, needing 43 off the last 19 balls when Ahmed arrived at the crease only for him and star man Will Jacks to flip the script.

The pair's unbroken 44-run stand in 16 balls on a spinning Colombo track carried England home by four wickets and into the semifinals. They progress top of their Super 8 group with three wins from three.