Fawad Ahmed's remarkable rise from asylum seeker to Test tweaker has never been closer after he was named in the Australian touring squad of the West Indies and United Kingdom.
Ahmed, who sought asylum in Australia after fleeing Pakistan in 2010, has been rewarded by the national selectors for a stellar domestic summer.
The 33-year-old topped the Sheffield Shield wicket-taking list with 48 wickets, including 8-89 in the final, a haul that could not be ignored by national selectors.
Ahmed said Test selection was far from his mind at the start of the season, when he was not even an automatic selection for the Bushrangers.
"My aim was to play more games for Victoria, to perform well, to win more games," he said.
"And being a bowler to create more opportunities - not to take wickets - but to create more opportunities.
"I bowled well, it pays off now and I'm excited and looking forward to it."
He delighted in the Australian cricket's meritocracy.
"We have a great system in this country, it's amazing ... if you work hard and you perform well there will be an opportunity for you."
Ahmed paid tribute to a wide group of supporters, including Victorian coach Greg Shipperd and captain Matthew Wade, that allowed him to "bowl with a big heart and a big chest in every single game".
An awestruck Ahmed said the potential to wear the same baggy green as Australian cricket royalty left him speechless.
"I can't find the words to express myself and to be thankful and grateful," he said.
"This cricket family, part of this cricket family are Don Bradman, Lillee, McGrath, Shane Warne ... and I'm going to be part of this family, I'm so proud."
All he needs now is the call-up for the Test XI.
Nathan Lyon is the spinning incumbent, but Ahmed suggested he could convince selectors that he could play alongside him in the Test side.
"I bowled with (spinner) Jon Holland in the Shield cricket and I worked well with him," he said.
"If I have an opportunity to bowl with him both together it's going to be good fun to play two spinners in the same team."
Ahmed is a non-drinker, and revealed in the wake of Australia's booze-fuelled celebrations to their Cricket World Cup victory that he was grateful for the inclusion of another teetotaller.
"Peter Siddle is not drinking as well, he's my partner now," he said.
"I'm glad he's on the tour as well."
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