Asylum-seeker in frame for Ashes selection

[rkt.india]

Australia's chief selector John Inverarity says Pakistani asylum-seeker Fawad Ahmed will be in contention for a place in the Ashes squad to tour England if he is granted citizenship in time. The 31-year-old leg-spinner was handed a permanent visa to remain in Australia in November after leaving his home in the border region near Afghanistan, where he said he was targeted by Muslim extremists. But to play for Australia in the Ashes from July he needs fast-tracked citizenship and an Australian passport. Otherwise, under International Cricket Council (ICC) rules, he will not become available until August 18, before the fifth Test at the Oval. "Fawad Ahmed is a mature and very good leg-spinner," Inverarity told Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald. "I've seen quite a bit of him and all those who have played against him, and the coaching staff, rate him as a good bowler. "He would certainly come under consideration. It will all be considered on merit. He will be treated no differently from anybody else." Inverarity admitted the significance of a former asylum-seeker from Pakistan playing for Australia could not be understated. "If it were all to happen, it would be a wonderful thing for our Australian society, someone who through the medium of cricket has become a central figure in our community," he said. Since his arrival, Ahmed has established himself with the Melbourne Renegades in the T20 Big Bash League and made an appearance for the Prime Minister's XI against the West Indies in January. He is seen as a handy back-up to Nathan Lyon, with few other stand-out spinning candidates beyond Xavier Doherty and Glenn Maxwell. Lyon had an ordinary tour of India, during which Australia lost the Test series 4-0, although he bounced back to take nine wickets in the fourth Test and Inverarity threw his support behind him. "He is our lead spinner and we hope he develops and becomes a really good spin bowler," he said of Lyon.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/54901/asylum-seeker-in-frame-for-ashes-selection/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=gadget

[saneindian]

Another Imran Tahit type story. At least tahir had susbtantial FC experience, this dude has played a couple of games and is being hailed as a great spinner who'll solve Aussies spin problems.

[Tiger80]

South africa and pakistan are becoming CPEC ( Cricketers producing and exporting countries)

[Crookbond]

Lyon - Lawn Mower Fawad Ahmed - Asylum Seeker What next? Great Khali - WWE wrestler!

[FischerTal]

he isnt even that good

[Chalks]

Surely Ashton Agar would be more likely to be selected for the Ashes series in England than Forward Armed?

[Ultimate_Game]

Isn't this guy supposed to live in Aus for 6 years or so before he's eligible to be selected? If getting a passport is the sole criteria for representing a country, India needs to come up with a fast-tracked approach for importing fast bowlers from WI or SA and handing them Indian passports.

[moniker]

Has a person of non Indian ethnicity ever played for India?

[Texan]

Has a person of non Indian ethnicity ever played for India?

I doubt it.

[Vanarp22]

i hope he makes it into the squad. very inspirational.

[1983-2011]

he isnt even that good

he's taken 16 wickets @ 28.37 in 3 first class matches for Victoria this season

[1983-2011]

they should pick Steve O'Keefe, hes better

[Vilander]

Has a person of non Indian ethnicity ever played for India?

[ExpressPace]

he's taken 16 wickets @ 28.37 in 3 first class matches for Victoria this season

Better stats then asswin :giggle:

[FischerTal]

Better stats then asswin :giggle:

Ashwin Da screwed the Aussies :giggle: