Fawad Ahmed escaped persecution in Pakistan and arrived in Australia as a refugee seven years ago. Now an Australian citizen, he's been involved in two Ashes squads without starting a match.
Despite his strong form for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, the 35-year-old fears his shot at playing Test cricket for Australia may have gone.
"I'm bowling really well but I don't think so," Ahmed told SBS News.
Ahmed has played both T20 and One Day matches for Australia, so even if his Test dream doesn't come true, he says he's at peace with himself.
"God blessed me with absolute happiness, playing for Australia .. and playing really good cricket, I've made a lot of good friends," he said.
His Muslim faith underpins everything, and although Australia has proved a land of opportunity, it has also produced challenges.
When Ahmed was called into the Ashes squad to tour England four years ago, he won an exemption from wearing alcohol sponsorship on his team uniform because of his faith.
He says he knows how to manage being a Muslim in Australia.
"I know what the real religion is, and how to be, to live in a country like in Australia in a non-religious country. So I know how to make a balance and a life and I still know how to follow to my religion, especially food-wise, or prayer-wise or fasting-wise."
Ahmed is into his third Big Bash stint with the Sydney Thunder and says he has loved the opportunity to experience another city apart from Melbourne, where he's based the rest of the year.
He also enjoys stoking the rivalry between the two cities: "I like it here but I wouldn't live here; it's too busy. I love Melbourne; it's the best city in the world."
Not that Sydney Thunder fans will complain about that assessment if Ahmed repeats his stellar impact of last season and help steer their side to another Big Bash title.
Sydney Thunder play Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval on Friday 22 December.
