Pak refugee Ahmed picked in Aus PM XI

Canberra: Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed has been named in an Australian Prime Minister's XI to play the West Indies on January 29, only two months after gaining asylum in Australia at his second attempt.

The one-day match at Canberra's Manuka Oval is a traditional part of the Australian cricket calendar, which gives the national selectors a chance to blood rising young players against touring teams.

The Prime Minister's XI will be led by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, with veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin as his vice-captain.

The legspinner will be part of the team to play WI on Jan 29 - just two months after gaining asylum in Australia.

Fawad, 23, emigrated to Australia in 2010 on a short-term visa and later claimed refugee status, saying he faced persecution from religious extremists if he returned to Pakistan.

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