It’s the feel good story Australian cricket has been looking for.
Fawad Ahmed, the Pakistani-born cricketer who came to Australia as an asylum seeker, has gained Australian citizenship.
This means he is eligible to play in the Ashes. The only question is: is he good enough?
Ahmed was described by Damien Martyn as the best Australian spinner since Shane Warne.
Stuart MacGill likened his bowling technique to the Indian legend Anil Kumble, but with more spin on the ball.
He has a short run up but generates a lot of spin, proving difficult for batsmen to handle.
In three Sheffield Shield games for Victoria, Ahmed picked up 16 wickets at 28.37.
He has also played two Australia A matches and played 10 first class matches in Pakistan before he left.
Overall he has played 15 first class matches accumulating 41 wickets at 34.65.
Ahmed will be battling for an Ashes spot with fellow spinner Nathan Lyon.
While Lyon is already in the UK, there is now nothing stopping Australia giving Ahmed the call if things go pear-shaped in the first few Tests.
In first-class matches, Ahmed has a better strike rate and average than Lyon.
He also has a higher batting average, but Lyon has more experience at playing quality opposition for Australia.
Who would you pick, fellow Roarers?
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately our best leggie (Zampa) wasn't even part of the A team thanks to over the moon hyped Fawad. Just because he hails from SC and the fact the he is a leggie doesn't makes Fawad a deadly spinner. If he is half as good as hyped , then he would have played more than just the 10 fc games.
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
SADLY ? You still believe fawad can do the job for us ? Mate lyon took more wickets and bowled much tighter than fawad. If you are writing this comment despite analyzing the AusA scorecards then huh...
Ahmed
Roar Rookie
Get over the baseless hype the surrounds ahmad guys. I see clueless bloggers write trash about lyon each day. Few call lyon a seamer and few say he has never spun the ball. The AusA tours have given a good reality check , Lyon with his Seamers/Non-spinners has managed more wickets at better economy than fawad with his square turners. Lyon remains our best spinner , tough to swallow but yeah . Agar is getting better , the last thing i would do is hand him a baggy green at this moment. He needs another Shield and more AusA tours.
Bob english
Guest
Unfortunately neither lyon or agar will trouble the english they do struggle with leg spin tho craddock caused alsort of problems
Bagration
Guest
Fawad is sadly back in Australia after an indifferent performance with Australia A. The only real threat to Lyon's Test place is Agar. He may well bash the selectors' door down in the Shield before the return series though.
JGK
Roar Guru
Note to the Eds - the spell check for this site really needs to be switched off US English mode.