Ex refugee Fawad Ahmed included in Oz squad for upcoming ODIs against England

Former Pakistani refugee Fawad Ahmed has reportedly been included in Australia's limited overs squad for the upcoming one-day series in England.

According to the Courier Mail, the leg-spinner, who sought shelter from religious persecution in Australia three years ago, is part of an 18-member squad that will be reduced to 15 after the two Twenty20 matches.

The report also said that the limited overs matches will provide something of an audition for a bowler seen as a potential wild card this summer as Australia looks to recover from a dismal Ashes campaign.

Stating that Ahmed, along with other spinners, was already considered as a potential starter for the return Ashes series in Australia, chairman of selectors John Inverarity said that they are keen to see how Ahmed plays in international games after a successful domestic stint at the end of the last Australian summer.

The report further said that Ahmed has played on the Australia A tours of the United Kingdom, South Africa and Zimbabwe after having his permanent residence fast-tracked, with Inverarity saying that Ahmed's full Australian debut had been 'brewing for some time'.

According to the report, Ahmed has taken the place of Xavier Doherty in the Australian limited overs squad, although Inverarity said that Doherty is likely to be picked for the seven ODIs against India in October.

Young West Australian all-rounder Mitch Marsh and paceman Josh Hazelwood are two others who will be hoping to use the one-dayers to push for higher honours, the report added.