BRISBANE – Pakistani journalist Asghar Ali Mubarak celebrated his post match incident memories of Wills World Cup 1996,when England captain Mike Atherton lost his temperament called ”buffon” during the 14th post Match interview at Rawalpindi stadium Atherton was recorded saying,”  Can someone get this buffoon out of here?” Feb 25, 1996 England vs South Africa at Rawalpindi, Pakistani journalist celebrated his post match incident memories during world match at Gabba stadium on other-day .Pakistani journalist Asghar Ali Mubarak told media about that indecent that “My personal, professional and financial life was affected after that world cup incident.He even claimed that the woman he was going to marry had left him because she “did not want to be the wife of a buffoon”.Ali told media men here on other day that “the incident destroyed my life, my engagement was broken and now I have decided not to marry any Pakistani girl.” He disclosed that he still un married and looking for a foreign woman for marriage .Ali said if I got marriage in 1996 I might be father of 18 year old boy or girl.i am still single ‘”He said during his last visit to India, “I approached Aysha Siddiqui, the ex-fiancé of cricketer Shoaib Malik asking for her hand but he got no response still from her. “
He said that my personal, professional and financial life affected after that incident. Ali later wrote a book in which he launched several personal attacks against Atherton entitled: Buffon; you or me? He even managed to include comments former South African skipper Hansie Cronje and sri lanka great Aruna Ranatunga. The incident meant that Atherton always received feisty reception whenever he visited Pakistan. Michael Atherton walked into a post-match press conference during the 1996 Cricket World Cup after his team had just lost to South Africa by 78 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.He had been dismissed for a duck after facing only four balls.The match itself had been poor with batsmen struggling to make big runs on either side. Graham Thorpe had top-scored with 46in the game.
During the post-match inquisition, one particular journalist, Asghar Ali managed to get under the skin of the England captain.After making several attempts, Ali asked a question on which Atherton was recorded as saying,” Can someone get this buffoon out of here?”
The story grew legs and the England Cricket Board (ECB) was forced to issue an apology on Atherton’s behalf.
Ali attempted to sue Atherton for defamation for Rs12 million (£6 million) on numerous occasions, but never even gleaned an apology for his efforts.
Ali says, “My personal, professional and financial life was affected after that incident.”
He even claimed that the woman he was going to marry had left him because she “did not want to be the wife of a buffoon”.
Ali later wrote a book in which he launched several personal attacks against Atherton entitled “Buffoon: you or me?” He even managed to include comments from morally-safe players such as Hansie Cronje and Arjuna Ranatunga.
The incident meant that Atherton always received a feisty reception whenever he visited Pakistan as England captain.
Ali told media men here on other day that “the incident destroyed my life, my engagement was broken and now I have decided not to marry any Pakistani girl.” He disclosed that he still un married and looking for a foreign woman for marriage .Ali said if I got marriage in 1996 I might be father of 18 year old boy or girl.
He said during his last visit to India, “I approached Aysha Siddiqui, the ex-fiancé of cricketer Shoaib Malik asking for her hand but he got no response still from her. “
He said that my personal, professional and financial life affected after that incident. Ali later wrote a book in which he launched several personal attacks against Atherton entitled: Buffon; you or me? He even managed to include comments former South African skipper Hansie Cronje and sri lanka great Aruna Ranatunga. The incident meant that Atherton always received feisty reception whenever he visited Pakistan.
He continued, “Later, I took the matter to Islamabad court in 2000, on which TCB, ICC and British High Commission were summoned and in response they submitted a written apology on the part of Mike Atherton, and the matter was settled,” he added.
He demanded that there must be some rule at ICC level under which players should be bound to respect others and punished for such incidents.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the only international standard cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This stadium has recently been expanded to cater to the ever increasing number of spectators for the game. With the increase in capacity, it can now hold around 25,000 spectators. Before the construction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Club Cricket Ground had been used as a venue for international matches, including one Test match against New Zealand that was held in March 1965.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was a prime spot in the 1995–96 Cricket World Cup. With an eye on the World Cup of 1996, unveiled another new Test venue for the second Test against  Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Karachi staged Pakistan’s first Test match and Rawalpindi Cricket stadium became the country’s 14th Test ground. The flood lights were added in late 2001 when the Australians were set to tour the Region. The stadium is just 20 minutes from the capital Islamabad and is the only proper international stadium in the territory. Perched  on the edge of the city of almost four million people and only three miles away from the capital Islamabad. Rawalpindi was used last January for the fifth and final One Day International against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by 117 runs to win the one-day series by a margin of 4–1.

 

The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1993.  Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi, Pakistan was established 19th January 1992 and was inaugurated by Prime minister of pakistan mian Muhammad Nawaz Sherif  at the time of First ODI  match  played between Pakistan  and Sri Lanka on  19^th January  , 1992  ,the Capacity of stadium  at that time  was 15000 . The last test was played between Pakistan and India on 13^th to 16^th April 2004 the last ODI was played at Pindi stadium on 5^th December, 2006 between Pakistan and West Indies .Pakistan, with an eye on the World Cup of 1996, unveils another new Test venue for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Karachi staged Pakistan’s first Test match and now Rawalpindi becomes the country’s 14th Test ground. Perched on the edge of the city of almost four million people and only three miles away from the capital Islamabad, the newly-built ground has seating for 18,000 people. Rawalpindi was used last January for the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by 117 runs to win the one-day series by a margin of 4:1.

 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/86102.html?wrappertype=print

 

December 6, 2000

Ashgar Ali promises to continue defamation case against Atherton over ‘buffoon’ remark

George Dobell

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There was always the worry that ghosts might return to haunt the first England Test tour of Pakistan for 13 years. Match-fixing and umpiring disputes were known to be the sensitive areas, but with both the teams and the governing bodies determined to ensure a theme of reconciliation, the tour has been a resounding success as far as bridge building goes.

It is strange then that Mike Atherton, of all people, should be at the centre of a long-running controversy. Ashgar Ali, a local journalist, is bringing a civil case for defamation against the former England captain to be heard on December 7 in Islamabad, which coincides with the first day of the Third Test, in Karachi.

Ashgar claims that when Atherton referred to him as a ‘buffoon’ in a press conference during the World Cup of 1996 it “ruined his life personally and professionally.”

An attempt by Ashgar to ask a question was met by blank looks as Atherton claimed not to be able to understand the faltering English. “Can someone get this buffoon out of here?” the England captain finally snapped.

It wasn’t Atherton’s finest moment. Although John Barclay issued an apology on behalf of the English team (in his role as tour manager) at the time, Ashgar has sought, in vain, a public apology from Atherton himself ever since.

It’s unfair to regard a visit to Pakistan as walking through a manners minefield. From London to Lahore, a smile and good intentions are understood. Atherton is an educated, intelligent and normally polite man. He did, however, have the habit of transforming in a press conference. Whether it was his attempt to deal with insecurity when confronted by the massed ranks of the press it is hard to say, but he could become surly and uncommunicative.

Ashgar told CricInfo in an exclusive interview, “I was an accredited journalist and it was a press conference. I hadn’t bothered Atherton in the dressing room or in his hotel. We respect guests in our country, but we do require that they respect us too. I am a great admirer of the British people, particularly Princess Diana, but I cannot respect Mr. Atherton.”

Some sense of proportion and perspective needs to be maintained. The remark doesn’t even seem that rude, to Western ears at least, and this relentless pursuit of Atherton renders Ashgar faintly ridiculous. He insists that the phrase is loaded with particular significance, and believes that his dark complexion (“you would think I’m West Indian” he says) prompted the remark.

“A buffoon is a phrase linked to monkeys and apes,” he tells me. “I know in England the word can mean “joker”‘ or “fool”, but here it has greater significance. It is a very bad thing. It means I am a chimpanzee.”

This isn’t quite right though. Buffoon does not have “ape” derivations in any of the dictionaries I’ve checked. Ashgar is, perhaps, letting himself be influenced by his initial understanding of Atherton’s remarks. He originally thought he heard “baboon”. He points to the “dirt in the pocket” affair, and, somewhat tenuously, Atherton’s declaration against Australia in Sydney in 1995, as illustrations of the true character of the former England captain. Hick was left 98 not out, in Ashgar’s view “because he wasn’t English.”

This is nonsense. To suggest that Atherton is racist is not credible, and the fact that Hick is white and was born on the same continent as Robin Smith and Allan Lamb, amongst others, renders the whole argument plain silly.

But it would be wrong to doubt Ashgar Ali’s sincerity. He is a university graduate and has been vice-president of the Pakistan Sports Journalists’ Association. He is an experienced journalist and relates the extent of this personal tragedy with genuine emotion. Several times in our conversation his voice broke with emotion.

“What you have to understand is that in Pakistan there are two things that matter; money and social stature,” he explains. “When I became a cricket writer I turned my back on money. I wanted to be respected as a journalist. Now everyone knows me as ‘the buffoon’, the respect has gone. It is hard for me to find decent work as my reputation is tarnished. I have nothing to offer. My fiancé didn’t want to be known as the wife of a buffoon, and I can’t blame her for that.

“My younger brother now has two children, and I am still alone. I know there are other women in the world, but when the heart loves one, nothing else in the world is for you. She was my love, and because of Atherton, it is not to be.

“When my fellow journalists see me they snigger and say, “Here comes the buffoon.” No one in Pakistan has supported me. Even my friends and family taunt me, but I thank the international media for keeping the incident in the public eye. I take sleeping pills every night to help me relax,” he says, although whether or not the “international media” are reporting on the incident because they see it as part of their crusade to see justice done is debatable.

Ashgar has written a book: “Buffoon: Me or you?” and is currently looking for a publisher. It contains all sorts of claims that amount to a character assassination. How that will help is beyond me, but Ali thinks that by undermining the credibility of Atherton he will show that his remarks are baseless. This is a flawed argument. The more he brings attention to the incident, I suggest, the more it will be remembered. “You don’t see,” Ashgar replies in exasperation. “I have lost my fiancé, my career and my respect. All I’ve asked for is a written apology. I am not after money.”

But you’ve demanded 12 million rupees, I remind him. What if Atherton shakes your hand and apologises?

“It is only now that I ask for damages,” stresses Ashgar. “I have given him many opportunities to apologise, but now it is too late. An apology will no longer be enough. How can I put this behind me before he takes back his comments and pays for the damage he has caused?”

The damages he is seeking are split into several categories, with the bulk caused by damage to his credibility. He is also seeking damages for “lost practice and mental agony.”

Ashgar Ali is not a quitter. Whatever the outcome of the civil case in Pakistan he intends to pursue Atherton relentlessly in the British courts. “I have a solicitor friend who will work for me and pay all my costs,” he says.

Ashgar also believes that he has been the victim of a conspiracy. He says he has been refused media accreditation for most of this Test series. He is also seeking specific damages as the result of a book he was planning on the 1999 World Cup in England. He claims the British High Commission refused him a visa because there was a desire to protect Atherton.

Ashgar Ali claims to have received letters from a wide variety of sympathisers. He has interviewed several past international team captains, not all of whom are fans of Atherton. Arjuna Ranatunga, and in particular, Hansie Cronje, Ashgar claims, have provided interesting interviews for his book. Hansie Cronje -there’s a character reference for you!

Ashgar’s obsession with Atherton can bring no good to anyone. If he had wanted to prove Atherton wrong he could have ignored the jibes of his “friends” and returned to work with dignity. People would soon have forgotten. His current course of action has the unfortunate effect of opening himself up to ridicule, keeping the incident fresh in everyone’s mind. The longer he persists, the more he’ll prolong the real suffering that he has endured.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the only international standard cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This stadium has recently been expanded to cater to the ever increasing number of spectators for the game. With the increase in capacity, it can now hold around 25,000 spectators. Before the construction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Club Cricket Ground had been used as a venue for international matches, including one Test match against New Zealand that was held in March 1965.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was a prime spot in the 1995–96 Cricket World Cup. With an eye on the World Cup of 1996, unveiled another new Test venue for the second Test against  Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Karachi staged Pakistan’s first Test match and Rawalpindi Cricket stadium became the country’s 14th Test ground. The flood lights were added in late 2001 when the Australians were set to tour the Region. The stadium is just 20 minutes from the capital Islamabad and is the only proper international stadium in the territory. Perched  on the edge of the city of almost four million people and only three miles away from the capital Islamabad. Rawalpindi was used last January for the fifth and final One Day International against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by 117 runs to win the one-day series by a margin of 4–1.

 

The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1993.  Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi, Pakistan was established 19th January 1992 and was inaugurated by Prime minister of pakistan mian Muhammad Nawaz Sherif  at the time of First ODI  match  played between Pakistan  and Sri Lanka on  19^th January  , 1992  ,the Capacity of stadium  at that time  was 15000 . The last test was played between Pakistan and India on 13^th to 16^th April 2004 the last ODI was played at Pindi stadium on 5^th December, 2006 between Pakistan and West Indies .Pakistan, with an eye on the World Cup of 1996, unveils another new Test venue for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi. Karachi staged Pakistan’s first Test match and now Rawalpindi becomes the country’s 14th Test ground. Perched on the edge of the city of almost four million people and only three miles away from the capital Islamabad, the newly-built ground has seating for 18,000 people. Rawalpindi was used last January for the fifth and final one-day international against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by 117 runs to win the one-day series by a margin of 4:1.

 

About Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, locally known as ‘Pindi’, is Pakistan’s prominent city located near the capital, Islamabad. Rawalpindi and Islamabad are called Twin Cities. The name ‘Rawalpindi’ means the abode of Rawals. The Rawals, a jogi tribe, founded ‘Rawal’ at the site where Rawal Dam is located. When Jhanda Khan, a Ghakkar Chief , founded a new town nearby, at the site of an old town known as ‘Fatehpur Baori’ he named it ‘Rawalpindi’. In 1765, a Sikh Chief Malik Singh, after a fierce battle with Gakhars, took the control of Rawalpindi. In 1849, Rawalpindi came under the British Raj and the pace of development increased rapidly.
Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) is also located here. Rawalpindi is a thriving city ideally located between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Azad Kashmir. This city is a Gateway to Northern Areas. Tourists, mountaineers and local travelers use it as a transit city before traveling towards Gilgit-Baltistan Province in the north. Islamabad’s Benazir International Airport is also located in Chaklala area of  Rawalpindi Cantonment.
A collection of images of Rawalpindi , a mix of old and new photos, is presented on this page exclusively for Pindi lovers.