Australian Citizenship Law change boosts Ahmed's Ashes dreams

Pakistan-born refugee Fawad Ahmed's Ashes dreams received a major boost on Thursday with the Australian senate passing legislation to fast-track citizenship in special cases.

The legislation empowers the immigration minister to apply shorter residential requirements on certain citizenship seekers.

"This is pleasing news for CA and a big step forward in a process that will help enable Fawad Ahmed become an Australian citizen," a Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman said on the governing body's website.

Ahmed, a 31-year-old leg spinner, arrived in Australia in 2010 on a short-term visa and claimed asylum on the grounds of receiving death threats from Islamic extremists for being involved with a Pakistani NGO promoting women's rights.

The spinner, who has claimed 40 wickets from 14 first class matches, was picked in the Australia A squad to tour South Africa and Zimbabwe starting next month but could be handed a debut in the first test against England starting on July 10.

Chief selector John Inverarity said on Wednesday both Ahmed and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar were in contention if Australia had to add a second spinner to the Ashes squad.

Australia have tried a dozen slow bowlers since spin great Shane Warne retired with 708 Test wickets after helping the team whitewash England 5-0 in the 2006/7 Ashes series.

They have lost both Ashes series since and have included one spinner, Nathan Lyon, in their squad as they renew the rivalry next month.