BBL08: Master leg spinner Fawad Ahmed sending reminder to Aussie selectors with great Sydney Thunder form

Sydney Thunder are playing spinners more than anyone else so far in this year’s Big Bash. And that gives 36-year-old veteran Fawad Ahmed the confidence to strut his stuff.

Fawad Ahmed was in great form for the Thunder against the Sixers.

More than five years after his brief international career ended in the blink of an eye, veteran leg spinner Fawad Ahmed is still plying his trade like a man on a mission.

At 36, he knows his chances of being recalled to the Australian team are thin but that hasn’t stopped the master wrist spinner from reminding the selectors what he can do with the ball in hand.

He was at it again in the Christmas Eve Sydney Smash, leaving batsmen scratching their heads in bewilderment as he picked up three wickets for the Thunder in their 21-run victory over the Sixers at Spotless Stadium.

Fawad Ahmed was in great form for the Thunder against the Sixers.

SPIN TO WIN: Ahmed bamboozles flailing Sixers

Annoyed that he missed out on a bowl in the team’s season opener against the Stars when rain reduced Melbourne’s innings to just eight overs, it was the perfect confidence booster he wanted for the campaign ahead.

“Regardless of how many years you play cricket, you still get nervous all the time and I think that’s a great start for me,” he said.

“I’m pretty happy and hopefully I can contribute to the team.”

His performance has already got people talking about whether he should be considered for next year’s World Cup in England.

Ahmed played three ODIs and two T20Is for Australia in a three-week span in mid-2013 but hasn’t played since and says his focus is on helping the Thunder win the Big Bash, both with his own bowling and mentoring some of the up and comers.

“We can still play two or three spinners and I’ve been bowling really well so I’m not worried about selection any more,” he said.

“We have a good mix of seniors and lot of youngsters as well.

“I’m working with the young leg spinners and the other spinners as well and we’re working together and it’s helping us.

“We have a really strong bench of spinners and we’re playing more spinners than anyone else so I think it’s a positive for us.”

Should Fawad Ahmed be an option for the World Cup?

Unbeaten after two rounds, the Thunder’s next match is against the Hurricanes in Hobart. The Hurricanes are also undefeated so it’s an early top of the table clash and Ahmed is looming as one of the key players.

“Most of the sides are pretty balanced in the tournament, that’s why BBL is so good. The Hurricanes have a lot of good players as well but at the same everyone has weaknesses,” he said.

“We’re watching them closely, where their strong points and weaknesses are, and we’ll discuss everything and hopefully the big guys can deliver again with the batting then the rest of us bowlers can deliver.”