Career uncertain as Bushrangers wield axe
FAWAD Ahmed’s cricket career is in limbo after Victoria axed the Pakistani- born asylum seeker once fast- tracked into the Australian team.
Rushed through the front door of the immigration department by Cricket Australia to five international caps less than five years ago, Ahmed has now been shunted towards the exits with the Bushrangers signing 19- year- old off- spinner Sam Grimwade to partner Jon Holland in the spin department.
Ahmed has taken 196 wickets in 60 first- class matches at the respectable average of 31 runs conceded for every scalp taken.
Australian selectors were convinced Ahmed, who fled Pakistan could help fill the void left by the great Shane Warne.
He was fast- tracked to Australian citizenship in 2013 so he could be eligible for Ashes selection. He missed out but he did play one- dayers and Twenty20s for Australia.