'Off his foot': Ashton Turner falls to one of the unluckiest caught and bowled dismissals
The Aussie's dismissal summed up Lucknow's night, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders by 98 runs.
The Immigration Department thought the case was “borderline” for granting Pakistani leg spinner Fawad Ahmed a permanent visa and then Australian citizenship, according to media reports.
The Pakistan-born cricketer last year had his application for Australian citizenship approved, ending four years of stress and uncertainty.
Ahmed originally came to Australia as an asylum seeker and finally became a citizen after changes to federal legislation fast-tracked his application.
Ahmed generated plenty of excitement in local cricket circles with his spin-bowling ability, and Cricket Australia lobbyists reportedly pushed for him to get a passport in time for the 2013 Ashes series in England.
However, government briefing documents and others obtained under Freedom Of Information are said to show the Immigration Department considered his case was “borderline” from the beginning.
The ABC reported that the department was worried his case “may result in an adverse impact” on other asylum seekers “who apply through the normal channels”.
The spinner was given special treatment from both political big parties due to sustained pressure from cricket interests, the report also claims.
Ahmed’s claim for asylum was initially rejected by both the Immigration Department and Refugee Review Tribunal.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
The Aussie's dismissal summed up Lucknow's night, losing to Kolkata Knight Riders by 98 runs.
As wife Alyssa Healy watches on, Mitchell Starc was back in form, taking three wickets in an over including the dangerous Tim David, to…
Joe Root was showing some brotherly love, giving his younger sibling Billy a chance in their county match.
Australia have reclaimed top spot in the ICC's Test rankings, replacing India. Despite not playing since winning 2-0 in New Zealand in March, Pat…
Yashasvi Jaiswal was looking comfortable at 67 off 40, until this moment when he hit the ball into his own stumps!
The Aussie made his 50 off 37 balls, for his fourth half-century of the season as his Sunrisers Hyderabad went on to beat Rajasthan…