Ahmed will be an Australia 'match-winner': Bailey
CHESTER-LE-STREET: Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey believes Fawad Ahmed will become a match-winner for his adopted country after he took his first full international wickets on Saturday.
Leg-spinner Ahmed's return of three wickets for 25 runs from his maximum four overs couldn't prevent Australia losing the second Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street by 27 runs as England levelled the two-match series at 1-1, but it may yet have more enduring significance than the raw result.
It was Ahmed who ended England's opening partnership of 111 when he induced Michael Lumb to top-edge a sweep to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, a wicket the bowler greeted with a kiss to the skies.
And having been entrusted with the 20th and final over by Bailey, Ahmed responded by dismissing both Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler -- bowled first ball -- as England finished on 195 for five.
Ahmed's return was timely after he took none for 43 on debut during Australia's 39-run win in the first Twenty20 at Southampton on Thursday.
"It meant a lot to him and would have meant a lot to all the people who have supported him," Bailey told reporters on Saturday.
"It was fantastic for him. We saw he has good control and good skills. He is someone who can have a lot of success.
"He'll be thrilled. No matter what your age is when you come into international cricket you want to know if you are good enough and where you stand. To improve from game one into game two he'll be really happy.
"To Fawad's credit he handled that pressure really well. It's good to know for the future. I think that showed he has a good knowledge of his own game and self-belief." (AFP)
