Ahmed was given the news by England coach Brendan McCullum during the tea break of England’s game against the England Lions, in which Ahmed was playing for the Lions.
Should he be called up for any of the three Tests against Pakistan, the first of which begins on Thursday, he will become England’s youngest ever Test debutant.
The previous record is held by Brian Close, who was handed his first England cap at the aged of 18 years and 149 days back in July 1949.
Following the teenager’s addition to the squad, McCullum said: “We know he’s not the finished article and has raw potential but Ben Stokes, myself and the rest of the coaches like how he approaches his game.
“The experience of being part of the squad in Pakistan will be hugely beneficial for him and he will add to the make-up of our squad.”
England have two days remaining of their warm-up match in Abu Dhabi before flying to Pakistan for the first Test in Rawalpindi.
