A Pakistan refugee and aspiring cricketer who helpedthe Australian team train ahead of its first test against South Africa has beengiven permission to stay in Australia.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement onThursday that he had personally considered Fawad Ahmed's case "and decidedto grant a permanent visa for him to be able to stay, work and play cricket inAustralia."
Ahmed fled persecution in northern Pakistan two years agoafter receiving death threats from religious extremists who accused him ofpromoting Western values.
Last week, Cricket Australia flew Ahmed from Melbourne toBrisbane to help the team's batsmen prepare for their first test against SouthAfrica. Ahmed's delivery style is similar to South African legspinner ImranTahir.
Ahmed's refugee claim was initially rejected by the RefugeeReview Tribunal, but subsequent attempts were supported by Cricket AustraliaChief Executive James Sutherland and Cricket Victoria.
"This is such a special moment in my life," saidAhmed, who took five wickets for Melbourne University last weekend. "I'mhopeful I can play the highest level cricket as well. I'm really grateful tothe government and all the people in cricket who helped me."
Various media reported that several teams in Australia's domesticTwenty20 league are interested in Ahmed.
"The last three years was a very hard time," headded. "I couldn't sleep at night times because it was very stressful. Iwas so anxious I couldn't perform well (at cricket). I'm pretty happy because Ican put all that behind me and look forward to my future and start a new lifehere in Melbourne."
Sutherland said the cricket community rallied to supportAhmed.
"This is proof that through cricket, we can helpachieve life-changing outcomes for people," he said in a statement.
Australia opening batsman Ed Cowan, who scored his firsttest century in Brisbane on Monday, has been a mentor to Ahmed and stood by hisfriend's side as he awaited word from the immigration department.
"We often see considerable negativity surroundingasylum seekers, so it's incredibly pleasing that an educated, skillful andcompassionate young man like Fawad has been given the chance to make a life forhimself in Australia," Cowan said.
"We have all been touched by his story and immenselyproud of how far he has come."