Ashes a step closer for Ahmed Leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed. A citizenship ceremony held in Britain will finally clear the way for Ashes candidate Fawad Ahmed to be a late inclusion in Australia's Test squad against England. The 31-year-old leg-spinner's remarkable path towards representing his adopted country took a major advancement on Thursday when amendments to the Citizenship Act passed the Senate. Only 20 days remain until the first Test at Trent Bridge, and while the Pakistan-born asylum seeker is cutting it fine, the successful clearance of the upper house is a significant turn in his direction. Pending final approval of the legislation by Governor-General Quentin Bryce - a formality that should occur by Monday - Ahmed will be free to apply for Australian citizenship and receive a passport. Like all would-be citizens, he will have to complete a test and from there Ahmed will partake in a citizenship ceremony, which can be held in Britain, where he has been touring with Australia A. "This is pleasing news for Cricket Australia and a big step forward in a process which will help enable Fawad Ahmed become an Australian citizen," a CA spokesman said. Ahmed's likely addition to the Ashes touring party would complete a stunning journey in less than 12months since Fairfax Media revealed his story. Hailing from the northern Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he was persecuted by religious extremists before leaving the country in 2010, Ahmed was this time last year preparing for another season with Melbourne University and working in a warehouse. He was on Wednesday named in an Australia A squad to tour South Africa and Zimbabwe starting in July, a visit that clashes with much of the Ashes tour. But he will have a chance to make a final impression on selectors when he turns out for the A team against Gloucestershire at Bristol, starting on Friday. National selector John Inverarity said on Wednesday that Ahmed and young Western Australian spinner Ashton Agar were both in contention to be added to the Ashes squad if it was determined that the tourists required a boost to their spin bowling stocks. Ahmed bowled only 17 overs, claiming just one wicket, during the previous Australia A match against Ireland in Belfast, but that game was played in damp conditions that did not assist him. "He will be considered for selection - no more than that," Inverarity told the BBC. The inclusion of Ahmed would indicate that selectors still do not have complete faith in Nathan Lyon. The off-spinner was dropped for the second Test in India in March but bounced back well with a fine nine-wicket performance in the final match in Delhi to re-affirm his standing as the country's top spinner.