Australian 'quality' spinner hopes boosted by Pak-refugee Fawad Ahmed's heroics in Zimbabwe

While Australia still struggle to find a quality spinner to take on England in the Ashes, there may be hope in Pakistani refugee Fawad Ahmed, who was recently handed out the Australian citizenship, after the Victorian leg spinner claimed eight wickets in Australia A's comfortable victory over a Zimbabwe XI team in Harare.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Fawad was Australia's most expensive bowler in the first innings, with 4-54 in 11.5 overs, but the most economical in the second with 4-23 from 11 overs.

Australia A coach Troy Cooley opined that the 31-year-old had been stoic after difficult June-July tour of Britain, in which recent Test debutant Ashton Agar joined the Australian squad ahead of him, and had received some reward in this match, the report said.

Cooley added that Fawad bowled some really good spells and it had set him up nicely for the rest of the tour of South Africa.