Rehan Ahmed smashes brilliant century to put Lancashire on the back foot

Ahmed and Handscomb Centuries Put Leicestershire in Command at Old Trafford

Centuries from Rehan Ahmed and Peter Handscomb put Leicestershire firmly in control on day three of their County Championship clash against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford.

Responding to Lancashire’s first-innings 263, Leicestershire piled on 491 for 8 declared, securing a commanding 228-run lead. Handscomb remained unbeaten on 142, and by stumps, Lancashire found themselves in deep trouble at 16 for 3 after just eight overs. Ian Holland bowled Keaton Jennings for a second-ball duck and trapped nightwatchman Anderson Phillip lbw for two, before Logan van Beek cleaned up Michael Jones for four with a delivery that kept low.

For the second consecutive game at this ground, Lancashire face the prospect of surviving the final day to force a draw after being comprehensively outplayed.

The morning began with Ahmed and Holland firmly in control, adding 68 runs in just 16 overs. Ahmed brought up his second first-class century off 147 balls, including 14 fours. However, his joy was short-lived—dismissed two balls later for exactly 100, caught at silly mid-off by Josh Bohannon off Tom Hartley. Holland followed soon after, miscuing a pull off John Turner to Saqib Mahmood at mid-on for 35.

Lewis Hill and Handscomb steadied the innings with a cautious but effective partnership. They gradually upped the tempo, particularly Hill, who took 10 off three balls from George Balderson. Hill reached his fifty in 91 balls, and Handscomb followed suit shortly after. Their stand reached 130 before Hill was caught at midwicket for 64, and Louis Kimber was bowled by Turner for eight.

Handscomb, however, remained resolute, guiding the side through the afternoon. He reached his 27th first-class century from 170 balls, featuring ten boundaries. Alongside Ben Cox, who made a brisk 31 before falling to a well-judged catch by Luke Wells on the square leg boundary, the pair added 66 for the sixth wicket.

Leicestershire pushed past 400 thanks to a single from van Beek, clinching their seventh bonus point. Van Beek made a handy 29 before being bowled by Wells, while Ben Green fell to Hartley for five. Hartley finished with figures of 2 for 151 from 44 overs—his most in a single match—while Turner and Mahmood claimed two wickets each.

Leicestershire’s total of 491 is their highest at Old Trafford, and just two runs shy of their best ever against Lancashire. With a massive lead and Lancashire reeling, the visitors are poised for a strong finish—weather permitting.

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