Fawad Ahmed named Sportsperson of the Year

Staged in Sydney on Sunday night, the eighth annual Australian Muslim Achievement Awards which are organised by Mission of Hope acknowledges the contribution of members of the Muslim community in Australia.

Ahmed beat NRL premiership winner Sonny Bill Williams and AFL defender Bachar Houli to receive the award.

“I am extremely humbled to be named the Australian Muslim Sportsperson of the Year,” Ahmed said.

“I am fortunate that Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria and Melbourne University Cricket Club have helped me fulfil my dream in Australia and have embraced my history, tradition and religion.

“I hope my story inspires other young people to achieve success on and off the field.”

Having made his Melbourne Renegades debut in the KFC T20 Big Bash League in January, Ahmed played three Bupa Sheffield Shield matches for the Bushrangers to finish the 2012-13 season as he collected 16 wickets at 28.37.

His form warranted selection on Australia A’s tour of Africa in July and August where he captured a further 15 wickets at 22.66 before making his one-day and Twenty20 international debuts in England.