Pakistan cricketer has permanent visa in Australia
A Pakistan refugee who helped Australians in training has been given permanent visa.
A Pakistan refugee and aspiring cricketer who helped the Australian team train ahead of its first test against South Africa has been given permission to stay in Australia.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement to Fairfax Media on Thursday that he had personally considered Fawad Ahmed s case "and decided to grant a permanent visa for him to be able to stay, work and play cricket in Australia."
Ahmed fled persecution in 2010 in northern Pakistan, where he said he received death threats from religious extremists who accused him of promoting western values.
Last week, Cricket Australia flew the leg-spinner to Brisbane from Melbourne to help the team s batsmen prepare for the first test against South Africa. Ahmed s delivery style is similar to South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir.
