Fawad Ahmed could play for Australia in the Ashes series under new citizenship legislation Spin bowler Fawad Ahmed, who has lived in Australia for almost four years, with PM Julia Gillard. Picture: Mark Nolan. PAKISTAN legspinner Fawad Ahmed could join Australia's Ashes campaign as a result of citizenship law changes introduced to parliament today. While O'Connor didn't mention Ahmed by name, he referred to "elite athletes" and government sources confirmed the leggie would be covered by the measure. Ahmed, 31, who some judges rate the best spinner in Australia, played first-class cricket in Pakistan before fleeing to Australia in 2010 where, after an initial rejection, he was granted asylum. Champion spinner Shane Warne argued that Ahmed's story was "heroic." "He's a quality spinner," the former Australian leggie told reporters at Lord's on Thursday. To see him keep fighting and doing well and now be in the position where he could possibly play for Australia - it's a real feel-good story. Let's hope he can get picked and if his documentation comes through and he is available to play I hope to see him in the squad because I think he'd be a great addition. Ahmed broke into the Victorian team last season. However, under existing rules he couldn't be granted an Australian passport in time for the Ashes. Offspinner Nathan Lyon is the only spinner currently named in the Ashes squad. O'Connor's measure would clear the way for a fast-tracked passport, provided parliament can pass it promptly - and there is a big backlog of legislation. O'Connor said the measure would give the minister discretion to "provide a pathway to citizenship to a very small number of people in very exceptional circumstances, where their becoming a citizen would be of benefit to Australia.