I want to be a role model for all Muslims: Fawad Ahmed

Pakistan-born Australian leg-spinner says Zimbabwe tour will prove to be good for the future of Pakistan cricket

KARACHI: Pakistan-born Australian leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed said in an interview to Sydney Morning Herald that he wants to express the true meaning of his religion through cricket to become a role model for his community.

Fawad left Pakistan in 2010 and took asylum in Australia where he was given his first T20 entry in the Kangaroo squad in August 2013. He has since played three ODIs and two T20s for the national side.

Australia are set to play West Indies in a two-Test series starting June 3 and a debut in on the cards for Fawad in the longest format.

"I would like to engage more with the non-Muslim community to spread a message about being a Muslim, being an athlete and representing Australia, and how we can live together and how sports can bring us together," said Fawad.

"I would say this is my duty to do that, to play that role especially when we see that stress in the community around the country like after the Sydney siege. There is a lot of misunderstanding in the community so I would love to play my role and be a part of that.

"We are representing 1.7 billion Muslims in the world rather than those few thousand people ... whatever they are called, terrorists or whatever. I would love to represent that 1.7 billion people and to be a role model for all Muslims, and to connect with the people about how we can live together in this beautiful country," he added.

The leggie said Australia is his country now but he is happy that cricket is back in Pakistan after a long break.

"I'm so happy in Australia, it's my country now and I chose this country. I'm so pleased and honoured to be living in this country," he said.

"I think it's great news (the Zimbabwe tour), especially for Pakistan and for the world of cricket. It's good for the future of Pakistan cricket and it's good for the world of cricket. I'm so happy about it. Hopefully more teams can visit Pakistan in the future and they can produce a safe environment for the visitors."