Summary Fawad has been playing on the Australia A side in Britain.
MELBOURNE (AP) - Legspin bowler Fawad Ahmed is a step closer to becoming an Australian citizen and claiming a likely spot on the country's cricket team in time for the Ashes.
Legislation that fast-tracks citizenship in special circumstances, including elite athletes such as Ahmed, cleared the Australian Senate on Thursday.
The new measure gives the immigration minister power to apply shorter residential requirements on some citizenship applicants.
Cricket Australia's chairman of selectors John Inverarity said Wednesday that Ahmed remained in contention for the Ashes and the first test starting in England on July 20. He has been playing on the Australia A side in Britain.
The 31-year-old Ahmed moved to Australia three years ago from Pakistan, claiming he was being persecuted by the Taliban.
