Amid the fireworks of Aaron Finch’s world-record innings, Fawad Ahmed quietly completed his remarkable journey to international cricket.
Former Pakistani refugee Ahmed finally realised his dream of representing his adopted homeland by playing in Australia’s Twenty20 victory over England in Southampton on Thursday.
It marked the end of a long, hard road for Ahmed and the start of a challenging new one for a player who is tipped to push for Ashes selection in the Australian summer.
On paper, the 31-year-old legspinner’s debut was far from spectacular.
He went for 0-43 from his four overs and dropped a catch.
But he should take plenty from being blooded in brutal bowling conditions on a hard Rose Bowl wicket, and with England on the attack chasing a mammoth total.
Finch’s spectacular knock of 156 from 63 balls was evidence of the batsman’s paradise on offer and the opener said Ahmed’s effort was admirable under the circumstances.
“Especially on a wicket like this, I think he adapted really well and bowled really well according to the conditions,” Finch said.
“It’s never easy when batsman are trying to attack you so much but he’s got a really wise head on his shoulders.
“There’s a huge excitement around the group about Fawad playing.”
Ahmed fled to Australia from Pakistan in 2010 as an asylum seeker after receiving death threats for supporting women’s rights.
He officially became an Australian citizen in July, paving the way for international selection.
Ahmed, who averages 31.44 in first-class cricket and 39.16 in domestic one-dayers, was mooted as an Ashes bolter but was instead sent to play for Australia A in England, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
He had largely modest figures, though he took four wickets each in four-day fixtures against South Africa A in Rustenburg and a Zimbabwe select side in Pretoria.
Ahmed is expected to get plenty of opportunities to shine in Australia’s remaining limited-overs games.
He could play again in Saturday’s second T20 against England in Durham, and should figure prominently in the six one-day internationals that follow.
Ahmed will need to show plenty more at the top level but former tweakers Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill are among those who see him as a potential new spin king in the Test arena.
Ahmed has certainly not had any trouble fitting in with his international teammates.
“He’s probably someone who jokes more than anyone in the side and he brings a really great attitude to the team,” Finch said.
“He’s teaching people all the time. He’s trying to educate Dave Warner day after day.”
