Former Pakistani asylum seeker Fawad Ahmed is a big step closer to playing the Ashes for Australia after being called up to the Australia A squad in England on Thursday.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced the legspinner’s selection, confident his citizenship can be fast-tracked in time for the Ashes series after a bill to amend the Citizenship Act passed through the House of Representatives on Wednesday night.
While the bill will still need to progress through the Senate, CA said it appeared there was enough support for it to soon become law.
Ahmed was to front a media conference at the MCG before flying out over the weekend to England where he will be able to press his Ashes claims in two Australia A squad tour matches this month.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon is the only spin bowling in Australia’s Ashes squad, with the selectors leaving the door open for Ahmed and others to press claims.
National selection chief John Inverarity said: “Fawad is a spin bowler of interest and we look forward to seeing how he performs for Australia A.”
Ahmed said of his selection: “I am very happy. It is a great opportunity for me to prove myself for Australia A in overseas conditions.
“I am grateful to Cricket Australia and the national selection panel for this chance, and I will do my best to repay their faith in me.”
The ICC’s Player Eligibility Criteria does not apply to selection for national A teams, so Ahmed is able to join the Australia A tour before the bill is finalised in the Senate.
Ahmed will be available for selection in the Australia A tour matches against Ireland (June 14-17) and Gloucestershire (June 21-23).