"Playing in the Ashes would be a dream come true" : Fawad Ahmed

[Convict]

Doherty got a chance in the second test but was dropped for the third test and Lyon came back into the team for the last two tests. If Clarke wanted Lyon out of the team as fast as he could why did he bring Lyon back into the team.

It makes little sense that if Clarke wanted Lyon out of the team he would select him, what you are suggesting makes no sense.

I think it's obvious that the selectors want a leg spinner.

That is why they are pushing for Ahmed.

 

[edwardssammy]

If players from Ireland could earn a living playing for England then the sport would gain popularity in Ireland. Morgan playing for England has produced a lot of exposure for cricket in Ireland. If cricketers in Ireland want to earn a living in the game then they have to leave when very young and go to a test playing nation.

Under the ten year rule you propose it means that Morgan will never play for Ireland. Remove that rule and if Ireland get test status he could go back and play for Ireland.

Nope, cricket has grown in Ireland due to the national team's efforts and the magnificent effort put by Cricket Ireland to popularise the game. It has nothing to do with Morgan playing for England. Going by that logic, Zeeshan Rehman should have popularised football in Pakistan.

England are not stealing any ones talent nor are they poaching players. Those players have made a decision that is for their benefit. Morgan plays for England because he has the talent to play test cricket and without representing England it is a talent that would be wasted. I don't see the point in cheapshots against England because players like Morgan are doing the only thing they can to play cricket at a level without England they could never reach.

Its the rules that you want that prevented players like Rankin and Morgan from coming back to play for Ireland against Pakistan.

Those players made the decision because the selection board selected them ahead of other deserving home-grown candidates, just to make them unavailable to Ireland. If England stopped promising Tests to Associate players, and then discarding them just to make them unavailable, then maybe I can see the point in not taking cheapshots against England.

 

[leatherface58]

Re: "Playing in the Ashes Would be a Dream Come True" : Fawad Ahmed

Lyon is a highly underrated spinner. But Oz just don't want to invest in him.

 

[HamzaSaeen]

Lyon is a highly underrated spinner. But Oz just don't want to invest in him.

underrated? was tonked around in India in spin favourable conditions.

 

[leatherface58]

Re: "Playing in the Ashes Would be a Dream Come True" : Fawad Ahmed

underrated? was tonked around in India in spin favourable conditions.

So what? Even Warne and Murali got slaughtered by Indians in India many times. And what did Lyon do after getting thwacked? Came back and took a 7-fer. That's mental strength for you.

 

[trogger]

underrated? was tonked around in India in spin favourable conditions.

95% of test spinners get belted in india, if you are picking your spinner based purely on that tour you might as well not even have a spinner.

 

[Robert]

So what? Even Warne and Murali got slaughtered by Indians in India many times. And what did Lyon do after getting thwacked? Came back and took a 7-fer. That's mental strength for you.

The Indians had no answer to Monty and Swann either.

 

[HamzaSaeen]

The Indians had no answer to Monty and Swann either.

This.

 

[leatherface58]

Re: "Playing in the Ashes Would be a Dream Come True" : Fawad Ahmed

The Indians had no answer to Monty and Swann either.

Sure but it remains to be seen if that's a trend like our batsman's performance against swing bowling or a freak occurrence.

 

[Khabri420]

Bump. Chances for Fawad Ahmed featuring in the Ashes appear to have increased significantly

LONDON: John Inverarity, Australia's chairman of selectors, indicated on Monday that Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed could yet be called into the Ashes squad.

The chances of Ahmed featuring in the Ashes improved dramatically when a bill to amend the Citizenship Act, which will help fast-track his application, passed through Australia's lower house of parliament earlier this month.
Cricket Australia said that if the bill became law, and Ahmed obtains citizenship and an Australian passport, he will immediately be available for the national side.

Australia currently have only one specialist spinner in their Ashes squad in off-break bowler Nathan Lyon.
Ahmed played three Sheffield Shield games for Victoria late last season and took 16 wickets at 28.37, bringing him to the notice of Australian selectors.

The 31-year-old, who fled Pakistan claiming persecution, has also won plaudits from retired Australia leg-spin great Shane Warne.
"It is likely that his passport will be through in time for him to be considered for the squad," Inverarity told BBC Radio's Test Match Special on Monday. "Then he will be considered for selection.

"He is a very interesting story. He is a young man who felt he was being persecuted in Pakistan and sought refuge in Australia.
"He came and joined an ethnic community there, played some cricket at a southern district level, was noticed as a good leg-spinner, then he went down to state practice and it's gone from there." AFP

http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/cricket-inverarity-drops-ahmed-ashes-hint-1.302922

 

[Convict]

After the Ireland match they should have decreased

 

[LooneyReturns]

Which Pakistani dreams about playing in the Ashes ? Lies

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[trogger]

lyon took a 7 for in his last test and comforably outbowled ahmed in the Ireland game so if ahmed gets his spot it's more about CA making a political statement than on the bowling form of the two players.

 

[Kwremb]

lyon took a 7 for in his last test and comforably outbowled ahmed in the Ireland game so if ahmed gets his spot it's more about CA making a political statement than on the bowling form of the two players.

Why would CA make a political statement? Unless it's lobbying for Gillard

 

[trogger]

Just read some of what the head selector said.

It's important for our Australian community that there is that sort of integration

"He is a fine young man who has handled himself extremely well so it's a very interesting story, especially in the diversity context

These are not issues a head selector of a cricket team should be concerning himself with, it's clear ahmed's bowling form is secondary to his back story and thats fine for the media but not for selectors.

 

[Kwremb]

Just read some of what the head selector said.

It's important for our Australian community that there is that sort of integration

"He is a fine young man who has handled himself extremely well so it's a very interesting story, especially in the diversity context

These are not issues a head selector of a cricket team should be concerning himself with, it's clear ahmed's bowling form is secondary to his back story and thats fine for the media but not for selectors.

Leaving his selection aside it could also mean CA are trying to engage/involve the quite significant south asian community in to Australian cricket who have been largely absent in Australian domestic scene despite being present in large numbers in weekend club cricket. It need not be a political statement. Selection is a different issue.

 

[trogger]

Making statements or selections as a way of pandering to a certain ethnic group is playing politics.

The only issue that CA and the selectors need to be thinking about is has ahmed done enough with the ball to justify axing lyon.

 

[Gilly]

Making statements or selections as a way of pandering to a certain ethnic group is playing politics.

The only issue that CA and the selectors need to be thinking about is has ahmed done enough with the ball to justify axing lyon.

Not quite correct, the only issue that the selectors should act upon is making sure they select the best 11 for each test. Thinking or talking about other issues involving cricket and its future is ok.

 

[trogger]

Thinking or talking about other issues involving cricket and its future is ok.

When i talked about statements or selections i should have made it clear that i meant statements pertaining to potential selections.

Most of the talk from Inverarity centered around ahmed's backstory rather than his bowling form and that's concerning, it's hard to see how he and others can make a genuine cricket only decision with regards ahmed vs lyon when it's clear there are bigger issues being pushed in this case.

It's not the first time we have seen this man push his personal agenda through selection, he has all but banned aussie spinners from bowling the doosra even though the higher power(ICC) has cleared the ball as legal.

 

[Space Cat]

Fawad Ahmed at the match between Australia A and Gloucestershire. Took 1 for 20 from 9.2 overs in the first innings.

 

[Space Cat]

Didn't get to much of chance to bowl with the seamers taking plenty of wickets.

 

[Saj]

From CA "Fawad Ahmed will return to Australia tomorrow (Monday) while he goes through the processes required of him to become an Australian citizen and remains a player of interest to the National Selection Panel.”

 

[MenInG]

We wish Fawad the best of luck - Mr. Berry may not agree but this guy will make a difference.

 

[Batman_DB]

First ever Indian-origin cricketer set to represent Australia in ODI Tri-Series

First ever Indian-origin cricketer set to represent Australia in ODI Tri-Series



Gurinder Sandhu of New South Wales and Sydney Thunder has been rewarded for his showing in the ongoing Big Bash League with a call-up to the Australian ODI squad for the tri-series involving India and Australia. The 21-year-old has not been selected for the World Cup and his inclusion is a cover for pacer Mitchell Johnson, who is expected to return in the later stages of the tournament.

Sandhu had caught wide attention after a great showing in the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia, where he had picked up 10 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 3.47. The right-arm fast-medium, with roots in Punjab, has been seen to use his height to generate extra bounce to trouble batsmen, and he also can swing the ball both ways.

Sandhu has taken 52 wickets in 29 List A matches at an average of 24.36 and an economy of 4.92.

A statement released by Cricket Australia said, "Given the heavy workloads undertaken by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood during the fourth Test, and the hamstring problems recently suffered by Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Marsh, the selectors have named South Australia's Kane Richardson and New South Wales seamer Gurinder Sandhu as extra bowling options for the early matches of the tri-Series."

The tri-series begins on January 16 with Australia taking on England at the SCG. India start their campaign on January 18 when they take on Australia at the MCG.


On occasion of being selected for the U-19 Australia squad in the 2012 World Cup, Sandhu had said, "When I was growing up, I loved watching Sachin Tendulkar bat, but a guy like Glenn McGrath was also a real idol of mine. I'm just so happy I'm getting the chance to play for Australia.

Reportedly, his father Iqbal's job as a taxi driver allowed him to ferry Sandhu around to cricket matches at all the junior levels.

“My dad was from the Punjab region and he came to Australia looking for a better life.

“My family is really proud of me and my extended family network in India have been really supportive.”

Australia had their first Pakistan-origin cricketer in Usman Khawaja, and are set to hand a debut to their first Indian-origin cricketer, and to play him for the first few matches in the tri-series as of now.

http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/...eter-to-represent-australia-in-odi-tri-series

 

[Swanny]

An indian origin phast boiler playing for the aussies

Ache din for aus bowling attack

 

[hur rizvi]

He is a good talent was impressive in U19 WC

 

[Batman_DB]

he is well built and bowls really at a quite a brisk pace followed him in the BBL

 

[Enforcer]

Please Australia show some sympathy and donate Sandhu to us.

 

[wrongun]

He has the ingredients to be a decent pacer- he is tall, strong and his action allows him to swing it around.

He is not express pace but if he makes a go of it in international cricket, it will be because of swing not speed.

 

[Random Aussie]

He has the ingredients to be a decent pacer- he is tall, strong and his action allows him to swing it around.

He is not express pace but if he makes a go of it in international cricket, it will be because of swing not speed.

He's been around the mark for a while, good to see him get a go.

I would have preferred to see them have a look at Behrendorff or Abbott but that's just my view.

 

[FreakCricket]

decent bowler with swing, saw couple of matches in big bash was impressive.

 

[Convict]

Incorrect - Stuart Clark has Indian ancestry

 

[Convict]

Sandhu is a good prospect but I think Behrendorff should feel pretty unlucky.

 

[Sakss]

Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed remains hopeful of Australia test debut

Fawad Ahmed is hopeful the test debut that has eluded him since being granted Australian citizenship is just around the corner.

But the legspinner says making a contribution to Victoria in the Sheffield Shield must remain his primary focus.

Ahmed, who turns 33 in February, is intent on winning a spot on the upcoming test tours to the West Indies and England.

With 18 wickets for the Bushrangers in the first half of the Shield season, Ahmed is building his case for a Test debut in 2015, but he's been close before and learnt a harsh lesson.

After taking six wickets against Western Australia in the first match of the 2013/14 Shield season, Ahmed was a chance to unseat offspinner Nathan Lyon for the first test of the Ashes series in Brisbane with another good performance, but failed to grasp his opportunity.

"I felt a lot of pressure because people were telling me I was a chance to play the first Test if I bowled well against New South Wales," Ahmed says.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself and I didn't perform well as a result, so after that I tried to forget about playing for Australia and concentrate on playing for Victoria.

"My national ambitions are always there, but I'm trying not to think too far ahead.

"I can't control selection, but if I'm performing well for Victoria then I think an opportunity will definitely come."

Ahmed's task in earning a Test debut has been made harder by Lyon's recent strong form against India, but he's hopeful national selectors keep an open mind on the make-up of the side on spin-friendly wickets.

Nathan definitely deserves to be in the team right now," he says.

"He's been bowling really well, but you never know, perhaps the selectors might consider playing two spinners at stages in the future."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricke...ahmed-remains-hopeful-of-australia-test-debut

 

[Suleiman]

BCCI should offer him a fat check to return to his homeland

 

[Random Aussie]

Sandhu is a good prospect but I think Behrendorff should feel pretty unlucky.

Sandhu plays for NSW, always more likely to get picked in a close call.

 

[Convict]

Sandhu plays for NSW, always more likely to get picked in a close call.

WA generally does pretty well - look at the Marsh brothers and Coulter-Nile (though I rate Coults higher than you do).

Not that fussed. Behrendorff will get his shot sooner rather than later

 

[Varun]

BCCI should offer him a fat check to return to his homeland

And if he remains in our team for more than a year, he'll be nurtured and ruined. Best for his fast bowling career that he stays away.

 

[vandokkum]

BCCI should offer him a fat check to return to his homeland

India is no more his homeland than Kenya is Obama's homeland. This guy is an Aussie, not an import like Tahir/ Fawad and countless England ones.

 

[Swanny]

England ones like KP

 

[wrongun]

Sandhu plays for NSW, always more likely to get picked in a close call.

I think Sandhu has put together a couple of good seasons now. Behrendorff is still in the flash in the pan stage.

 

[Strike Rate]

First ever Indian-origin cricketer set to represent Australia in ODI Tri-Series

I think he is not the first because Stuart Clark father was from Chennai and mother from Bangalore.

 

[Convict]

I think Sandhu has put together a couple of good seasons now. Behrendorff is still in the flash in the pan stage.

Other way around really

 

[Convict]

Sheffield Shield

Behrendorff

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     3     10  4/29   7/53  21.30 2.80  45.6  0
2013/14     8     40  5/65   9/100 22.75 3.12  43.6  2
2014.15     4     14  7/70  10/114 26.71 3.57  44.8  1

Sandhu

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     2     14  5/31   7/78  11.85 2.51  28.2  1
2013/14     4      7  2/24   4/106 52.28 3.11 100.5  0
2014/15     3     11  4/69   4/105 34.09 4.09  50.0  0

One Day Cup

Behrendorff

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     4      6  3/39   3/39  28.16 3.84  44.0  0
2013/14     4      4  3/66   3/66  45.25 5.17  20.2  0
2014/15     6     11  5/27   5/27  16.36 5.07  24.0  1

Sandhu

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     4     14  5/35   5/35  14.57 4.58  19.0  1
2013/14     7     11  3/66   3/66  28.09 5.15  32.7  0
2014/15     8     15  3/37   3/37  25.73 5.01  30.8  0

Big Bash League

Behrendorff

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     6      9  3/44   3/44  22.77 8.91  15.3  0
2013/14     9     11  3/21   3/21  18.54 6.37  17.4  0
2014/15     7     13  4/22   4/22  12.92 6.00  12.9  0

Sandhu

Season    Mat   Wkts  BBI    BBM   Ave   Econ  SR   5i
2012/13     3      3  2/33   2/33  24.00 6.54  22.0  0
2013/14     8     10  3/21   3/21  20.80 6.50  19.2  0
2014/15     6      8  3/19   3/19  17.37 6.95  15.0  0

Sandhu's figure at one dayers are pretty good and he deserves his run but I know who has been the more sporadic at this stage

 

[angrypathan]

Fawad Ahmed achieves the best figures ever in a Sheffield Shield final

Pakistan born leg spinner Fawad Ahmed finished today with figures of 8-89, the best ever in a Sheffield Shield (Australia's 4 day first class tournament) final. Currently at the top of the leading wicket takers list for the season, and seems to be really pushing a claim for a baggy green for the coming tour of the West Indies, and maybe even the Ashes Also sad that Pakistan can't identify and utilise the talent of such cricketers

 

[Sakss]

Hope he makes the Senior team soon

 

[wrongun]

Not sure what size squad we are taking to WI- but WI is a place now where playing two spinners is a possibility.

He really should be on the Ashes tour. If we pick Agar over him again I will cry.

 

[cricketjoshila]

He should have been on that team to UAE.Much better than that left arm roller they played.

 

[hur rizvi]

Fawad for some reason had a terrible domestic record in Pakistan, Imran tahir had a very respectable record and was even in Pakistan reckoning for some time in 2003-4.

 

[angrypathan]

Fawad for some reason had a terrible domestic record in Pakistan, Imran tahir had a very respectable record and was even in Pakistan reckoning for some time in 2003-4.

Fawad played only 10 fc games in Pakistan, I guess he was just settling in

 

[Firebreaker]

LOL Australia following the footsteps of England

 

[Firebreaker]

Agar is much younger and better than him

 

[Convict]

Not up for test cricket.

Will not trouble any test standard batsmen who know how to play spin.

Also falls to pieces when he gets hit around.

Stick with Lyon and three quicks.

 

[Convict]

LOL Australia following the footsteps of England

Fawad Ahmed won't play tests.

If people remember Bryce McGain- Fawad Ahmed is in a similar position.

 

[Convict]

Not sure what size squad we are taking to WI- but WI is a place now where playing two spinners is a possibility.

He really should be on the Ashes tour. If we pick Agar over him again I will cry.

Agar is a better prospect than Ahmed.

If we pick two spinners in an Ashes test the selectors should be investigated for match fixing.

 

[Firebreaker]

As a fan of WA, I clearly back for Agar in the Ashes

 

[hur rizvi]

Fawad Ahmed won't play tests.

If people remember Bryce McGain- Fawad Ahmed is in a similar position.

FAwad has brilliant stats in Aussie domesti cricket, I see most Aussie spinners average around 40 in domestics and Fawad has an average of less than 30 (If you take out his Pakistan domestic stats) so he must be doing something right

 

[Convict]

FAwad has brilliant stats in Aussie domesti cricket, I see most Aussie spinners average around 40 in domestics and Fawad has an average of less than 30 (If you take out his Pakistan domestic stats) so he must be doing something right

Yeah (though O'Keefe takes wickets every year and Agar has a pretty decent record).

But your average player in Sheffield Shield can't bat against spin. Especially tailenders.

Ahmed doesn't have the game to go up a level and take wickets against England, India, South Africa etc.

Agar doesn't have the game yet but he's more likely to reach that level.

 

[Convict]

As a fan of WA, I clearly back for Agar in the Ashes

He's got a reasonable chance of making the squad but would be unlikely to play (barring some miraculous performance in this shield final).

He's a player of national interest so will be considered.

 

[PTI]

8 For 89 Pakistan-born refugee to Australia sets domestic cricket record

HOBART: Pakistan-born refugee Fawad Ahmed has broken a domestic first-class cricket finals record in Australia, taking eight wickets for 89 runs for Victoria state in the Sheffield Shield final against Western Australia.

Western Australia posted 421 before being bowled out midway through day two on Sunday at Bellerive Oval.


Legspinner Ahmed, a naturalised Australian who fled Pakistan in 2009 and claimed asylum, took the wickets of opener Marcus Harris (81), Sam Whiteman (72), Michael Klinger (18) and Shaun Marsh (six), along with four tailenders who were each dismissed in single figures.

Also read: Pakistan-born Ahmed becomes Australian

Western Australia's Chris Matthews' 8-101 against Queensland in 1988 was the previous best bowling mark in a Shield final.

source: http://www.dawn.com/news/1171215/pakistan-born-refugee-to-australia-sets-domestic-record

 

[wrongun]

Agar is a better prospect than Ahmed.

If we pick two spinners in an Ashes test the selectors should be investigated for match fixing.

My reasoning for a back- up spinner for the Ashes is that Lyon has been poor overseas before and we need to plan for the worst case that if Lyon is poor in the first 2 tests we will want another spin option and one who can actually win games.

I'm not closing the door on Ahmed's ability to take international wickets yet. He's hardly had a go. Some of the ODI's he's played were wet too I recall. I think a leggy is always a good option to have.

Agar has finished the Shield season ok (finally actually taking more than 1.5 wickets a game, his usual rate) but so far in the final he has a none-fer on the same pitch Ahmed has an eight-fer on. Against the two form batting line-ups in the country I'd say that's a fair appraisal of where there wicket taking ability stands against good players at present.

Let Agar perform on a few A tours. He's not ready yet. This is Ahmads time right now.

 

[Convict]

My reasoning for a back- up spinner for the Ashes is that Lyon has been poor overseas before and we need to plan for the worst case that if Lyon is poor in the first 2 tests we will want another spin option and one who can actually win games.

I'm not closing the door on Ahmed's ability to take international wickets yet. He's hardly had a go. Some of the ODI's he's played were wet too I recall. I think a leggy is always a good option to have.

Agar has finished the Shield season ok (finally actually taking more than 1.5 wickets a game, his usual rate) but so far in the final he has a none-fer on the same pitch Ahmed has an eight-fer on. Against the two form batting line-ups in the country I'd say that's a fair appraisal of where there wicket taking ability stands against good players at present.

Let Agar perform on a few A tours. He's not ready yet. This is Ahmads time right now.

Agar took ten in a match a few rounds back.

I don't disagree that Ahmed would be a better one off option than Agar but if Lyon is seriously struggling he wouldn't do any good.

 

[wrongun]

Agar took ten in a match a few rounds back.

I don't disagree that Ahmed would be a better one off option than Agar but if Lyon is seriously struggling he wouldn't do any good.

PS. Is your new Watto avatar in support of him or ironic?

 

[Convict]

PS. Is your new Watto avatar in support of him or ironic?

Bit of both.

I hope he does well but it's pretty fun taking the Mick out of him.

 

[superman]

Maybe off topic but;

Disgraceful he sold out his county (theres no rusk of anything in swabi in rejation to his asylum, swabi is not like khandahar) i get he wants to migrate for economic reasons and that is his business but hes doing to equavilent of joing the aus army, which is disgraceful for a pakistani

Also again i know im a nobody in the ICC eyes but im entitled to my opinion and these types of players, him. Tahir. Trott. Kp is unnatural and shouldnt be allowed

 

[Convict]

Maybe off topic but;

Disgraceful he sold out his county (theres no rusk of anything in swabi in rejation to his asylum, swabi is not like khandahar) i get he wants to migrate for economic reasons and that is his business but hes doing to equavilent of joing the aus army, which is disgraceful for a pakistani

Also again i know im a nobody in the ICC eyes but im entitled to my opinion and these types of players, him. Tahir. Trott. Kp is unnatural and shouldnt be allowed

huh?

 

[Laal]

huh?

Let's just say the reasons he gave for seeking asylum were not entirely true. In fact a lot of them were straight up fabrications. People who live in his district could attest to it.

 

[Bilal7]

Good for him (and Australia). Can't believe we let him and Tahir leave without a transfer fee.

 

[Bilal7]

Maybe off topic but;

Disgraceful he sold out his county (theres no rusk of anything in swabi in rejation to his asylum, swabi is not like khandahar) i get he wants to migrate for economic reasons and that is his business but hes doing to equavilent of joing the aus army, which is disgraceful for a pakistani

Also again i know im a nobody in the ICC eyes but im entitled to my opinion and these types of players, him. Tahir. Trott. Kp is unnatural and shouldnt be allowed

Nothing wrong with any of this as long as you consider Cricket a sport and not a warzone. I am actually sort of proud that Pakistani talent is populating teams across the world.

 

[Slog]

I always laugh at people who thnk Fawad Ahmed can be successful at international level.

One has to realize that all the wickets he is taking in Aus domestic are against domestic batsmen who cannt play any type of good spin

To suggest we lost a talent is ridiculous. He is several notches below our top spinners and Yasir Shah is a far superor leg spinner than him already

 

[Slog]

Good for him (and Australia). Can't believe we let him and Tahir leave without a transfer fee.

neither would have made the team

Tahir (despite his recent success) was and still is an ordinary spinner for a long long time. Isnt he like 34-35 already? He has honed his skills over several years in top domestic cricket of several countries to reach where he is today. There was no way that in the 2003-2006 period when he was in Pakistan, he was even comparable to Danish Kaneria

 

[Slog]

funnily enough Yasir Shah, him (and Junaid) are from same town

 

[Bilal7]

neither would have made the team

Tahir (despite his recent success) was and still is an ordinary spinner for a long long time. Isnt he like 34-35 already? He has honed his skills over several years in top domestic cricket of several countries to reach where he is today. There was no way that in the 2003-2006 period when he was in Pakistan, he was even comparable to Danish Kaneria

Even Ajmal bloomed later on and I know that no-one could have seen Tahir's rise coming but there is that shred of disappointment at seeing the best ODI bowler today playing for South Africa, despite being a born and bred Pakistani. However, it also speaks volumes of the bowling talent in the country, like I mentioned before.

 

[Bilal7]

funnily enough Yasir Shah, him (and Junaid) are from same town

Are all of them Pakhtuns (Pathans)?

 

[Convict]

Let's just say the reasons he gave for seeking asylum were not entirely true. In fact a lot of them were straight up fabrications. People who live in his district could attest to it.

But how is the Victorian cricket team like the Australian Army?

 

[Laal]

But how is the Victorian cricket team like the Australian Army?

No idea. I'm just rationalizing why he may irk some Pakistanis.

 

[FreeBird]

Maybe off topic but;

Disgraceful he sold out his county (theres no rusk of anything in swabi in rejation to his asylum, swabi is not like khandahar) i get he wants to migrate for economic reasons and that is his business but hes doing to equavilent of joing the aus army, which is disgraceful for a pakistani

Also again i know im a nobody in the ICC eyes but im entitled to my opinion and these types of players, him. Tahir. Trott. Kp is unnatural and shouldnt be allowed

From what I know, his actual country is AFGHANISTAN.
He is an Afghani born in Pakistan.

 

[wrongun]

Let's just say the reasons he gave for seeking asylum were not entirely true. In fact a lot of them were straight up fabrications. People who live in his district could attest to it.

To call a player an outright liar without any kind of evidence or back-up, when his claims were investigated by professionals in Australia is pretty rough. I think it's out of line.

 

[Laal]

To call a player an outright liar without any kind of evidence or back-up, when his claims were investigated by professionals in Australia is pretty rough. I think it's out of line.

I don't think so. I stand by what I said. He is welcome to sue me for libel.

 

[Random Aussie]

Congrats to Fawad on a great season but I think he is a good domestic player not an international class one. But then again I would have laughed if you predicted he would top the Shield bowling so maybe there is something there.