Peter Handscomb endorses bid for Fawad Ahmed's return to international cricket

Australia batsman and Victoria captain Peter Handscomb has backed Fawad Ahmed’s bid to return to international cricket in T20Is. Earlier, former Australia all-rounder Simon Katich had expressed his support for Fawad. Handscomb feels the leg-spinner can “100 percent” do the job for the national side should he earn a national recall for the T20I series against Pakistan in UAE.

Fawad Ahmed made his international debut for Australia back in 2013 when they were touring England for a limited overs series. He has featured in 5 international matches so far, having played 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is, and has 6 international wickets to his name.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Peter Handscomb said, “He’s been playing T20 comps all around the world and in those comps, he’s shown how good he is. Dominating games, getting man of the matches, just doing all the right things, winning competitions as well. He’s obviously doing something right and the teams he’s been playing in have been winning.”

Who is Fawad Ahmed?

Fawad Ahmed finished the 2018 edition of the Caribbean Premier League as the leading wicket-taker. He represented eventual champions Trinbago Knight Riders, who are coached by Katich. The former Australia opener later got in touch with the current coach of the Australian cricket team Justin Langer regarding Ahmed’s possible inclusion in the T20I side.

Australia are scheduled to play three T20Is after the 2-match Test series against Pakistan, and the leg-spinner could well make his international comeback after more than five years. According to Handscomb, it’s Fawad Ahmed’s intelligence which allows him to dominate with the ball even at the age of 36.

“He’s smart, he seems to read the batter well, he’s got unbelievable control on all his deliveries. His stock delivery is fantastic but then all of his change-ups are on the money and generally bowled at the right time as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fawad Ahmed himself felt that it’s never too late to make a return to international cricket, and is ready to grab the opportunity should he get it. “If you’re physically fit, if you tick all the boxes, why not? I would say if you were 18 or 38, if you’re ticking all the boxes then I think you should play and deserve the chances.

If I’m bowling well and I’m physically fit and ticking all the boxes I’d love to play for Australia in any format. I just want to keep playing for Victoria, bowling well and hopefully contribute to wins,” he mentioned.

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