Leicestershire Sign Pathway Trio on Rookie Contracts
Fri 13 Nov 2026
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is delighted to announce that Ali Farooq, Theo Marshall and Raheem Ahmed have signed rookie contracts with the Club.
Farooq has signed a three-year deal, while Marshall and Ahmed have each agreed two-year contracts. All three have come through the Leicestershire pathway.
Farooq, left arm off-spinner, joined the Club at Under-15 level and progressed to the Academy at 17, the same age at which he made his Second XI debut. He claimed his first five-wicket haul for the Second XI in just his second appearance, against Glamorgan.
Farooq was named in England’s squad for the 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and went on to make his England Under-19 debut that summer, taking 3 for 29 against South Africa A.
Marshall, right arm seamer, first joined the Club at Under-16 level and has spent the past three years in the Foxes Academy. He gained further experience in Second XI cricket in 2026, making his first appearance of the season against Lancashire at Uptonsteel Grace Road.
Ahmed, left arm pace bowler, was part of the Foxes Academy alongside his brother Rehan, the Leicestershire and England all-rounder. After leaving the Academy in 2022, Raheem worked his way back towards the professional game and featured for Leicestershire’s Second XI in 2025.
Claude Henderson, Director of Cricket, said, “It’s a big moment for Ali, Theo and Raheem to sign their rookie contracts. Ali has impressed in the Second XI and taken his chance with England Under-19s, Theo has made steady progress through our Academy, and Raheem deserves real credit for the work he’s put in to earn this opportunity after leaving the Academy in 2022.
“Jigar and the Academy coaches deserve a great deal of credit for the work they’ve done with all three. Each player has taken a different route to a rookie contract, and the support they’ve had at different stages of their development shows the value of the work Jigar and his team are doing across the pathway.
“They’ve all had a taste of Second XI cricket. The next step is to build on that experience, and we’re looking forward to seeing how each of them develops as part of the professional squad.”
Jigar Naik, Head of Talent Pathway, said, “It’s been a pleasure to watch Ali and Theo progress through the pathway and take their opportunities in the Second XI. It’s also particularly pleasing to see Raheem earn a contract after leaving the Academy in 2022. He’s worked hard to get back into the professional game and can be proud of what he’s achieved.
“All three have put a lot of work into getting here, and it’s a proud moment for them and the coaches who’ve supported them along the way.”