Birmingham Phoenix have signed England all-rounder Rehan Ahmed for the 2026 season of The Hundred.
Ahmed, 21, impressed in helping runners-up Trent Rockets reach last year’s final, taking 12 wickets and scoring 189 runs across the competition.
This year, the leg-spinner and top-order batter also helped Leicestershire win the County Championship Division Two title, taking 23 wickets at 19 and averaging 50.66 with the bat, including five centuries.
Before joining Rockets, he represented Southern Brave in The Hundred.
Each of the eight Hundred franchises can sign four players in a window until the end of January, with one allowed to be a retention of any member of a side’s 2025 squad.
The three remaining direct signings must be from overseas or England contracted players, and franchises will be able to offer multi-year contracts.
Ahmed – who has played five Tests, six one-day internationals and 12 T20s for England – is the first signing of the window.
The Hundred will then hold a player auction for the 2026 season, with salaries also significantly increased, following private investment into the competition.
Knighthead Capital Management, founded by Birmingham City co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner, paid £40m for a 49% share in Phoenix.
