News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 11 years ago
Home  » Cricket » Australia allows Ahmed to drop beer logo from shirt

Australia allows Ahmed to drop beer logo from shirt

September 03, 2013 15:30 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Fawad AhmedCricket Australia have agreed to let Muslim leg spinner Fawad Ahmed compete without the logo of a sponsor's beer brand on his shirt out of respect for his "personal beliefs".

Australia's touring international teams have competed with the logo of Victoria Bitter, a popular locally-brewed beer, on their shirts for a number of years.

Victoria Bitter, known colloquially by its brand "VB", is brewed by Carlton & United Breweries, which was acquired by global brewing giant SABMiller in 2011.

Ahmed, a former Pakistani refugee who received his Australian citizenship in July, made his international debut in the first of two Twenty20 matches against England last week.

He has been named in Australia's squad for six one-day matches that begin in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

Ahmed had requested to be excused from wearing the 'VB' logo as it conflicted with his religious beliefs, Fairfax Media said on Tuesday, and Cricket Australia executive general manager of operations Mike McKenna said the governing body had approved it.

Ahmed is considered a strong prospect for a Test debut when England travel to Australia for their return Ashes series in November. Australia lost the recently completed Ashes 3-0.

South Africa's Muslim batsman Hashim Amla has also been excused from wearing a beer brand logo on his shirts.

Image: Fawad Ahmed

Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25