Pakistan-born refugee to Australia sets domestic cricket record

E-Paper | May 03, 2026

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.

Read: Fawad Ahmed's journey from graveyard to Baggy Green

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.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

World

US Secretary of State Rubio to visit Vatican, Rome after Trump's row with Pope

Iran says ball in US court on war or diplomacy

Israel approves plan to buy F-35 and F-15IA fighter jets from Lockheed, Boeing

Nasir

Mar 22, 2015 01:20pm

No doubt we have great reservoir of talent

Recommend 0

Abdul Kadir

Mar 22, 2015 01:24pm

Refugee like Imran tahir in SA?

Recommend 0

irshad

Mar 22, 2015 01:43pm

corruptions in sport are damaging our performance and wasting talent.

Recommend 0

Byjan

Mar 22, 2015 01:45pm

Having achieved his PRIMARY objective of getting Australian citizenship, he is now doing a bit in his SECONDARY objective as well.

Recommend 0

M.Saeed

Mar 22, 2015 01:47pm

Good beginning ! There are others many other such players now playing in foreign teams and grazing greener pastures after being rejected back home. But, our selfish custodians of cricket play their own ball game that they know and excel in.

Recommend 0

Raj Hundal

Mar 22, 2015 01:48pm

Pakistanis abroad are very progressive and peaceful people. They are the best hosts as I have wonderful Pakistani friends. He is a naturalized Australian and refugee is a derogatory term for this bright cricketer.

Recommend 0

Ahmed Ali

Mar 22, 2015 02:03pm

All the best dude. Always feels nice to see my country men doing good for their new adopted homelands. Keep it up and conduct yourself with honor and dignity. In the end you are the most valuable product of Pakistan !

Recommend 0

American Thinker

Mar 22, 2015 02:08pm

IS getting Australian Citizenship his objective?

Recommend 0

Muhammad

Mar 22, 2015 02:17pm

Good on you man! Best of luck in your future endeavors! Pakistan wishes you well.

Recommend 0

Khalid

Mar 22, 2015 02:32pm

'Fled' Pakistan! Why?

Recommend 0

Kamal Pasha.

Mar 22, 2015 02:37pm

Anytime, the overseas Pakistanis are the best cricketers.

Recommend 0

Aam Aadmi

Mar 22, 2015 02:53pm

He don't want to play for Pakistan but he is ready for Australian cricket.

Recommend 0

Abdul Kadir

Mar 22, 2015 03:18pm

Our players going abroad.Whats a fear of playing in Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Acp Rathod

Mar 22, 2015 03:24pm

why is this happening...it seems that nobody is interested performing in Pakistan and are ready to go to england Australia south Africa India... why

Recommend 0

L.Ahmad

Mar 22, 2015 03:37pm

Democratic free world countries offer equal opportunities to people regardless of their race, religion, colour & creed. Unlike Pakistan where opportunities are reserved for privileged few.

Recommend 0

Khurram

Mar 22, 2015 04:05pm

Even asylum seekers have good life in Australia. Compare it with the situation here.

Recommend 0

Ahle

Mar 22, 2015 04:33pm

@Muhammad he fled pakistan so don't you worry lol

Recommend 0

Bitter Truth

Mar 22, 2015 04:36pm

How Player like Imran Tahir couldn't play for Pakistan but flourshing in SA? Where is people love for country?

Recommend 0

wahab

Mar 22, 2015 04:43pm

No merit in our country.....as simple as that friends

Recommend 0

Javid

Mar 22, 2015 05:08pm

If only PCB could recognize the talent, they would never go to other nations to play cricket!

Recommend 0

baig

Mar 22, 2015 05:20pm

I am ashamed that pakistan citizens can claim refugee in other parts of the world. Pakistan is really a country without any human right and justice?

Recommend 0

Ero

Mar 22, 2015 05:34pm

Very soon Pakistan is going to be the next Bangladesh. (Cricket wise)

Recommend 0

Qasim

Mar 22, 2015 05:37pm

one more Swabian proves that they are the best in bowling, Yasir Shah, Junaid Khan and now Fawad Ahmad, it will be great if PCB hunt for such talent in rural areas, there are more waiting need to pick them.

Recommend 0

Mar 22, 2015 06:01pm

@Aam Aadmi He like among many others are ignored by PCB. So, he did the right thing to play for a country who can recognize and appreciate his talent. Unfortunate for Pakistan to loosing talents almost in every field not only cricket.

Recommend 0

Dr. Sadaf

Mar 22, 2015 06:11pm

Another example of talent drain, I am sure PCB is looking the other way.

Recommend 0

Nasir

Mar 22, 2015 07:01pm

Why a refugee? And why he fled?

Recommend 0

kaleem Shaikh

Mar 22, 2015 07:24pm

It hurt me that our player begging for Citizenship.

Recommend 0

zak

Mar 22, 2015 07:44pm

Pakistanis are winners for any team they play for. Our own team poorly managed

Recommend 0

AKK

Mar 22, 2015 07:55pm

I am sure that nobody would appreciate that there are 36% Indians employed in NASA

Recommend 0

Canada

Mar 22, 2015 07:59pm

Pk can't even protect any minority so what do you expect?

Recommend 0

Manzer

Mar 22, 2015 08:12pm

@AKK 36% Indians? That will exceed the entire population of the USA.

Recommend 0

Dr Arif Zaidi

Mar 22, 2015 08:23pm

well done,you deserve it.

Recommend 0

Mar 22, 2015 08:47pm

@Canada is majority protected?

Recommend 0

GREEN JAGUAR

Mar 22, 2015 09:04pm

@AKK Yes true that NASA has a high employment of Indians, only in the late 1950's-1970's NASA had more Pakistani scientists and astro physicists then Indians : ))

Recommend 0

Salman Yasin

Mar 22, 2015 09:43pm

@Aam Aadmi People do not want to have their talents to go to waste because of nepotism favoritism and corruption. The talents are wasted in our county. So what would you do if you were Fawad or Imran Tahir. Best of luck in his career to Fawad.

Recommend 0

farjad

Mar 22, 2015 10:01pm

Pakistanis have refugee status in Australia????

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 22, 2015 10:55pm

Pakistanis everywhere, the dynamic energy of the team. Most wanted world over.

Recommend 0

Hashim

Mar 22, 2015 10:56pm

no dout that we have got talent .but our youngster feels pride in on performing for other WHY

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 22, 2015 10:57pm

@Canada minorities are only protected in India's Gujarat.

Recommend 0

Zak

Mar 22, 2015 11:03pm

@AKK Indians not 36% but 3.6% and Pakistanis 2.8%

Recommend 0

mohammadali

Mar 23, 2015 12:04am

Yes, he claimed persecution as Pakistani christian.

Recommend 0

junaid

Mar 23, 2015 12:52am

jab parchi per player select hongay toh talent phir bahir hi jayega.

Recommend 0

white noise

Mar 23, 2015 02:21am

@Abdul Kadir Imran Tahir was picked on his talent, south African supported him to make sure he becomes a citizen. he did not seek asylum like that other Pakistani player did in UK.

Recommend 0

Tariq Khan

Mar 23, 2015 02:32am

Due to regionalism and cronyism, deserving talent is finding refuge in other places of the world where it is being valued and recognized.

Recommend 0

Mar 23, 2015 03:27am

@Qasim Yasir Shah and Fawad Ahmad are cousins per Sydney Morning Herald and Maybe so is Junaid Khan.

Recommend 0

Akash

Mar 23, 2015 08:01am

@Acp Rathod : Cool down buddy... Many of us Indians go to US and UK for better opportunities.

Recommend 0

Kalandar

Mar 23, 2015 08:21am

It is sad that our country did some injustice to his family and forced them to get refuge in other country.

Recommend 0

Question

Mar 23, 2015 08:28am

@zak and raj. He applied asylum to Australia claiming taliban did not allow to play cricket in Pakistan. Open your eyes.

Recommend 0

Mirza

Mar 23, 2015 09:14am

Imran Tahir, Fawad, Yasir Shah and many more had no chance in Pakistani team as long as Afridi the great was there. During the time of Intikhab so many leg spinners were treated just like this to keep him going. Yet both Intikhab and Afridi have mediocre bowling averages. We are happy that these stars are exhibiting their talents where they are appreciated and rewarded. Imran Tahir is already one of the top bowlers in his first WC. While we only played Yasir against India to destroy his career and not played him against teams vulnerable to spin. Imran T is good enough to play with strong SA attack but Pakistan would not play a genuine spinner.

Recommend 0

Oh Pakistan!

Mar 23, 2015 09:49am

Fawad received life threats from militants/taliban and opted to migrate to Australia. Coaching children play cricket was considered "western values/morals" by taliban/militants. Probably some one close (friend or cousin) was attacked before Fawad moved to Australia.

Recommend 0

nation lover

Mar 23, 2015 09:58am

@Manzer they are not refugee they are rockers who investing and working in top jobs in all over india except in gulf countries.!! for example : ceo of infosys , ceo of microsoft, ceo of google and so on..! don't be childish..!!

Recommend 0

Gullu Badsha

Mar 23, 2015 10:23am

Anyone who migrates to another country does not necessarily "flee". Wrong choice of word.

Recommend 0

Gullu Badsha

Mar 23, 2015 10:28am

@baig, why are ashamed ? The entire USA & Canada is inhabited by immigrants from all over Europe.

Recommend 0

Gullu Badsha

Mar 23, 2015 10:29am

@Khurram, very stupid comment.

Recommend 0

Ashwin

Mar 23, 2015 01:07pm

Chill Guys! He has only set a record in a domestic league. He is yet to prove himself in the international arena. Chances are that probably he wont even make it to the Australian team. In that scenario, what has Pakistan lost? Nothing. The article nowhere mentions whether he "fled" to Australia because he was disregarded by PCB. It might be that he just wanted to have a good and peaceful life that Australia offers. Why defame / underestimate / disrespect your own country and people unnecessarily?

Recommend 0

Jay Patel

Mar 23, 2015 02:43pm

Such a secular country Australia is ! welcoming any refugee from any part of the world and giving equal chance to grow. Pakistan should learn to give security to minorities such as Christans, Hindu, Shia muslims and Shikh

Recommend 0

Arshad

Mar 23, 2015 08:16pm

I live in Toronto. When I see here Pakistani brain that is excellent. Migrated Pakistanis from Christian communities, Hindus and Ahmadis, all of doing excellent in all parts of this society. They are taking part in Canadian politics, education, social sector. they were ignored in their home land and here they are flourishing. They were second class citizens in their homeland and here they feel real liberty. What a ill fate country which lost its HEERAY.

Recommend 0

TakingCredits

Mar 23, 2015 11:08pm

Haha what's the need to mention every time Pakistani-born Australian , African, American etc etc.. They left this country and aren't interested to be called Pakistani anyway :p

Recommend 0

Akil Akhtar

Mar 24, 2015 03:56am

@Arshad Really...then why are millions of Hindus leaving India for the west.....It has got nothing to do with second class citizen it is just more financial opportunities that humans beings chase....

Recommend 0

Akil Akhtar

Mar 24, 2015 03:58am

He is not that good....it is just a one off.

Recommend 0

Usman

Mar 24, 2015 05:51am

success has many fathers. Pakistan did not give him naturalization, even when he was born here, but tries to own him, because of his success... sad

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expands climate action with one Million Tree Drive and forest reforms

The province is turning policy into action through a series of large scale programmes aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and improving resilience against rising climate pressures.

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.