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

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.