Ex-Pakistan refugee gets Aussie call
Source: Agencies |
June 7, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PAKISTANI refugee Fawad Ahmed has been added to the Australia A squad for a tour of Britain and Ireland after changes to citizenship laws which could fast-track his passport passed through the lower house of the Australian Parliament.
Cricket Australia's national selection panel chairman John Inverarity said in a statement yesterday that "Fawad is a spin bowler of interest and we look forward to seeing how he performs for Australia A".
There's been mounting speculation locally that Australia, in need of a consistent, quality legbreak bowler since the retirements of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, could add the 31-year-old Ahmed to its Ashes squad for the test series in England beginning in July.
"It's amazing news for me," Ahmed was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. "It's a great opportunity for me now to prove myself."
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor last month introduced proposed changes to the Citizenship Act that would give him discretion to grant citizenship in exceptional cases.
Ahmed played 10 first-class matches in Pakistan before arriving in 2010 seeking asylum. He got permanent residency last year and would have qualified for Australia in August under International Cricket Council guidelines. Citizenship offers an earlier option for selection under ICC rules.
Cricket Australia's national selection panel chairman John Inverarity said in a statement yesterday that "Fawad is a spin bowler of interest and we look forward to seeing how he performs for Australia A".
There's been mounting speculation locally that Australia, in need of a consistent, quality legbreak bowler since the retirements of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, could add the 31-year-old Ahmed to its Ashes squad for the test series in England beginning in July.
"It's amazing news for me," Ahmed was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. "It's a great opportunity for me now to prove myself."
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor last month introduced proposed changes to the Citizenship Act that would give him discretion to grant citizenship in exceptional cases.
Ahmed played 10 first-class matches in Pakistan before arriving in 2010 seeking asylum. He got permanent residency last year and would have qualified for Australia in August under International Cricket Council guidelines. Citizenship offers an earlier option for selection under ICC rules.
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