Pak refugee Ahmed must play in Ashes if given Oz passport: MacGill

Sydney: Former Australian spinner Stuart MacGill said that refugee player Fawad Ahmed should be selected in captain Michael Clarke`s Ashes squad if he is granted an Australian passport in time, adding that he is talented enough to face England in the series.

Under International Cricket Council regulations, Ahmed, a Pakistani asylum-seeker who was granted a permanent Australian visa late last year, will not be eligible to play for Australia until August 18 - three days before the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval - unless he is granted a passport prior to that date. Comparing Ahmed to Anil Kumble, MacGill, who has been working with the asylum-seeker at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week, said that he had former Test batsman Damien Martyn face him, adding that Martyn gave high praise to Ahmed`s spinning skills. According to MacGill, Ahmed`s life experiences, along with his bowling ability have him well equipped to deal with the rigours of cricket, adding that he is capable of bagging a place in the Ashes squad. ANI