Fawad Ahmed has faced more than his fair share of challenges in life.
So it’s unsurprising Australian national selector John Inverarity backs the Pakistan-born legspinner to handle the pressure and expectation surrounding his first appearance for his adopted homeland on Friday.
Ahmed will play for Australia A in the four-day tour match against Ireland in Belfast – an expected stepping stone towards a call up for Australia in the Ashes series.
Even before bowling a ball for his new country, Ahmed is being hailed as a potential new spin king, receiving glowing endorsements from former tweakers Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, so his performances will be closely scrutinised by the British media.
He arrives at a time when the national squad badly needs a good news story amid captain Michael Clarke’s injury concerns, new disciplinary issues surrounding David Warner and some shaky form at the Champions Trophy.
It’s been a hard road for Ahmed, who fled to Australia from Pakistan in 2010 as an asylum seeker after receiving death threats for supporting women’s rights.
Inverarity said his dealings with Ahmed suggested the 31-year-old was mentally ready for the cricketing challenge ahead.
“It’ll be very demanding for him but all the signs so far are positive,” Inverarity told AAP.
“He’s been delightful, absolutely delightful.”
Legislation changes are yet to be passed by the Senate to allow Ahmed to play for Australia.
But his citizenship is expected to be rubber-stamped in time for him to be included for the Ashes and he’s tipped to join Australia’s squad as 17th man and second spinner behind Nathan Lyon.
Inverarity, though, denied Ahmed was a shoo-in for Ashes selection, indicating he’d need to impress against Ireland and in next week’s Australia A match against Gloucestershire in Bristol.
“He’ll be given an opportunity and we’ll watch keenly,” Inverarity said.
Australia A posted a 360-run win over Scotland last week but Ireland are expected to offer stiffer opposition, allowing the likes of Steve Smith and Moises Henriques a big chance to push their claims for late Ashes call-ups.