[VIDEO] "Won't shut up until Wasim Akram tells the world what he said to me": Ata-ur-Rehman

[Savak]

[MEDIA=youtube]jf5KyzhqPdA[/MEDIA]


"I would like to say that the statements made by Ex PCB CEO Khalid Mahmood are based upon facts"

"I made my stance clear at that time to the commission and committee and the reason I changed my statement was done after Wasim Akram told me to do so"

"I request the media to ask Wasim Akram as to what he said to me; But I will not shut up until Wasim Akram tells the world what he said to me; My career was destroyed because of this"

"There are many people claiming that they lifted the lid on match-fixing such as Rashid Latif; The affidavit that I was asked to write was done with the blessings of Aamir Sohail and Rashid Latif; Later on the this same affidavit was put in newspapers"

"They both claim to be great patriots but I ask them that they know Wasim Akram is involved in match-fixing so people in media should ask them why Akram played under their captaincy in South Africa; Was Wasim Akram OK then?"

"They say PSL is a gambler's League but they also joined PSL themselves; They do things for themselves, they have no love for the country - all they do is political stuff, they tape conversations with people and put them on them on media - thank you"

===

- He comments that he was forced to backtrack from the affidavit he submitted to the Qayum commission because of threats from Wasim Akram who threatened to have him fixed, sorted from people in Pakistan. Wasim even paid for Atta's ticket from London to Pakistan via his credit card and this was in the commission's records.

- He said the original affidavit he submitted to the commission against Wasim Akram was supposed to be signed by him, Amir Sohail and Rashid Latif but they later backtracked and submitted the affidavit in public with only his signature on it.

- He accuses both Amir Sohail and Rashid Latif of hypocrisy. Amir Sohail stated to the commission that Wasim Akram was a match fixer, then why did he agree to play with Wasim Akram under his captaincy and why did he agree to captain Wasim Akram. Why is Rashid Latif agreeing to accept a coaching role in the PSL where Wasim Akram has a coaching role as well.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

There should be a Netflix series on Pakistan cricket under the genre of comedy-crime-drama

 

[Bhaijaan]

In a team full of bowling stars, this guy was the most hittable. Indian fans can't forget the sight of Mohammad Azharuddin smashing him around.

Come on man. You were probably dropped because you were ordinary lol.

 

[Bezli]

Things are getting interesting.

I’ll say it again, Wasim Akram is not a saint

 

[Savak]

In a team full of bowling stars, this guy was the most hittable. Indian fans can't forget the sight of Mohammad Azharuddin smashing him around.

Come on man. You were probably dropped because you were ordinary lol.

Lol, the wicket keeper in 1993 was standing up to the stumps for him. That is how bad he was

 

[Slog]

well if he changing his statements so easily then clearly his words cannot be taken seriously or hold credibility

 

[Savak]

well if he changing his statements so easily then clearly his words cannot be taken seriously or hold credibility

That depends, the commission noted that Akram forced him to take back his affidavit in the back of threats and duress and the commission even saw the credit card receipt, credit card statement showing Akram purchasing Atta's ticket from London to Pakistan. How the hell did the commission let Akram get away with blatantly threatening a key witness against him?

 

[Saj]

A few saints and pillars of the community getting their halos removed it seems.

As I wrote in another thread, sadly, there are not many with integrity in the history of Pakistan cricket.

 

[Markhor]

What does the guy's bowling record have to do with the story ?

Ata was made a scapegoat, what happened to him is a clear case of witness tampering.

 

[Saj]

I met Ata a few years ago when he was playing club cricket.

Poor guy was still so nervous and obviously still affected by the events of the past.

I interviewed him and he begged me not to ask him about the Wasim Akram, Qayyum Report stuff as it had ruined his life.

 

[Savak]

I met Ata a few years ago when he was playing club cricket.

Poor guy was still so nervous and obviously still affected by the events of the past.

I interviewed him and he begged me not to ask him about the Wasim Akram, Qayyum Report stuff as it had ruined his life.

I wonder if this is the case why is he coming out in the open now?

 

[Bezli]

I met Ata a few years ago when he was playing club cricket.

Poor guy was still so nervous and obviously still affected by the events of the past.

I interviewed him and he begged me not to ask him about the Wasim Akram, Qayyum Report stuff as it had ruined his life.

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] you should interview Wasim Akram and ask him these tough questions.

Enough is enough, if Wasim cheated, the whole world needs to know!

 

[Bezli]

That depends, the commission noted that Akram forced him to take back his affidavit in the back of threats and duress and the commission even saw the credit card receipt, credit card statement showing Akram purchasing Atta's ticket from London to Pakistan. How the hell did the commission let Akram get away with blatantly threatening a key witness against him?

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] - You’re a good journalist. We need your help to expose Wasim Akram.

 

[Watsupdoc]

Wasim bhai is in the news a lot lately. Why come out now though after so many years, if Akram indeed did fix?

 

[world cup captain]

Finally, things seem to be catching up to Wasim Akram now. As good as the 90's team was, the underachievement of the team cannot be explained by anything but groupings and fixings.

 

[silentkiller187]

Does Ata’s claim hold weight or is he sensing an opportunity with the whole Salem Malik episode. Either way the murmurs of Wasim Akram involvement have always been there, interesting to see where this goes.

 

[hitthestump]

I wonder if this is the case why is he coming out in the open now?

The same way we see a domino effect when a high profile male gets accused of sexual assault.

Everyone's feeling a little more bold with the new disclosures around fixing and of course we can't discount the $$$ factor.

Not saying Atta is right by any means though as that remains to be seen.

 

[Junaids]

I met Ata a few years ago when he was playing club cricket.

Poor guy was still so nervous and obviously still affected by the events of the past.

I interviewed him and he begged me not to ask him about the Wasim Akram, Qayyum Report stuff as it had ruined his life.

I still remember watching him in 1990 on the Emerging tour to England. He was better than Gough and Cork and his extra height meant that he would have been a perfect foil for the two W's ahead of Aaqib Javed.

The problem was that the senior players were a lot like Lance Armstrong - they have still never acknowledge that their own activity meant that clean players had a choice between abandoning cricket or joining the cheating. You can't just stay clean and pretend that the corruption is not happening or you become guilty of the same "Failure to Report" offences as Mohammad Irfan, Brendan McCullum and Umar Akmal.

 

[Rana]

Wasim bhai is in the news a lot lately. Why come out now though after so many years, if Akram indeed did fix?

To be fair, Wasim Akram has always been in the rumours since day 1. Just hasn’t been nailed for his wrongdoing. He is definitely protected by PCB and possibly ICC.

 

[Rana]

Atta Ur Rehman deserves some kind of closure. Feel so sorry for the underprivileged, week man having to become the scapegoat and never truly compensated

 

[MMHS]

Ata probably was forced by PCB, not Akram. Akram probably negotiated with him in some exchange.

I heard it from former PCB Chairman, Gen Zia in a live program in PTV world -

“....., when I had Jstc. Quiyum report at hand, I was astonished with the findings - how much corruption was deep rooted into PAK cricket. Before taking any call, I had to get approval; so I personally met Gen Musharraf and shared him the findings. He asked me - what do you want to do. I told him that I’ll ban the culprits for life. He took his time and asked if I had the backups, for which I had to tell him the truth. Gen Musharraf categorically told me that at this moment we can’t risk PAK cricket to be humiliated in field, you have to rethink on your stand”...

It’s almost two decades since, therefore I might have forgotten exact words but the gist is exactly this. Musharraf that time was struggling in every front and he couldn’t afford PCT to be hammered, specially by Indians and he was concerned about the backlash of life banning some of the ATGs of the game - common people of PAK won’t have accepted that, rather they would have taken it as a fabrication by army govt.

Ata gave his testimony in front of an Inquary judge - only he could have altered it and PCB couldn’t keep that statement as record. I believe, it was PCB later forced Ata to withdraw his statement or whatever evidence he exhibited.

I believe, PCT in 1990s were the most united unit, but for the wrong purpose - none could break that unity as either you have to be part of it or you don’t exist. If ever someone can arrange a cross examination - many posters here would be astonished with the findings.

 

[unemployedgm]

Influentiality in pakistan will never pay for their sins in this life.

Wasim is an influentiality!!!

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

Careful not to jump into his cab next time you are in London Waz.

 

[ahmedzee]

Atta was in the team because of his connections with some top folks in PCB. He wasn't a performer and was one of the wrost bowlers to play for Pakistan in the 90s. That is the reason he was dropped. The bigger travesty was, how on earth did Atta get to play. Investigation should be done for that instead.

Pakistan majorly underachieved in the 90s and that is the truth. One of the major reasons for that is groupings, not fixing. Whenever a group of players wanted a captain to fall, they use to under perform. We saw that when Aamir Sohail was the captain and even when Rashid was the captain.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Careful not to jump into his cab next time you are in London Waz.

He drives cab now?

Damn..

I think there used to be some ex Pakistani cricketer who drove can in Australia too.

Nothing against the profession but ex cricketers should be doing better

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

He drives cab now?

Damn..

I think there used to be some ex Pakistani cricketer who drove can in Australia too.

Nothing against the profession but ex cricketers should be doing better

Chris Old from England worked in a supermarket after playing.

 

[Rana]

He drives cab now?

Damn..

I think there used to be some ex Pakistani cricketer who drove can in Australia too.

Nothing against the profession but ex cricketers should be doing better

The smartest thing a current pro can do is utilise his earnings on online courses in the evenings and attain a university qualification in marketing or something beneficial. A lot of the ex England/Australian pros who do not continue with cricket coaching have found good day jobs and also maximised their earnings through evening and weekend coaching sessions.

 

[Zaz]

Its funny how most of the bowlers that played a little in the 90s ie under 50 odi games and less than 20 tests never have anything nice to say about the likes of akram etc

From what i hear most like M Akram and Ata have gone on record saying they were never helped by the seniors and the environment was toxic back then

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

"My career was destroyed because of this"

That's a bit of a stretch, he was a pretty poor bowler. If anything he would probably have been less dispensable if he was any good.

 

[silentkiller187]

He drives cab now?

Damn..

I think there used to be some ex Pakistani cricketer who drove can in Australia too.


Nothing against the profession but ex cricketers should be doing better

Arshad khan did a few years back but I believe he is coaching in PSL now. Ex cricketers should but you have to look at the individual. Chris Lewis for example resorted to drug smuggling to make ends meet and ended up doing 4/5 years inside.

 

[Saj]

[MENTION=9]Saj[/MENTION] you should interview Wasim Akram and ask him these tough questions.

Enough is enough, if Wasim cheated, the whole world needs to know!

I suspect that Wasim will only talk to the ICC about this......that is if he is summoned to speak on it.

 

[Rana]

"My career was destroyed because of this"

That's a bit of a stretch, he was a pretty poor bowler. If anything he would probably have been less dispensable if he was any good.

He could have still made a living by playing as a FC bowler

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

What would it take to have another enquiry given that this happened so long ago? Which organisation would want to rake up the past when the end result could arguably be severely damaging to it in the short term at least. Then again PM Imran would need to clear any such proposal, wouldn’t he? Even if an enquiry got going, wouldn’t most, if not all, parties have to speak up in tandem against Wasim for any significant impact to happen? What are the odds of that happening?

I’m not holding my breath. Storm, teacup.

 

[Saj]

Ata was a decent seamer. Certainly not that quick, but pretty skilfull and useful in English conditions.

His biggest problem was a lack of pace as he didn't have that zip that the best bowlers have.

 

[silentkiller187]

He could have still made a living by playing as a FC bowler

I’m sure he made a comeback and played some FC games in England, mostly for 2nd xi’s. wasn’t good enough to make the grade.

 

[Saj]

I’m sure he made a comeback and played some FC games in England, mostly for 2nd xi’s. wasn’t good enough to make the grade.

He married a girl from the North-East of England. I know he played club cricket in the North of England for quite a few years and made some decent money.

 

[attock]

He married a girl from the North-East of England. I know he played club cricket in the North of England for quite a few years and made some decent money.

Yes in Blackburn. I use to play for a club and he was the Pro at the time.

 

[TeymurBlake]

God he wasn't a great bowler.

 

[Zaz]

His profile states he was born in 1975 which i suspect is incorrect as he certainly doesnt look like someone whos 45, hes certainly closer to 50 imo as he was playing for pakistan since 1992

Anyway he played his last game in 1996 for pakistan
Must be tough thinking your intnl career came to an end in your mid 20s amongst all this drama

 

[Saj]

His profile states he was born in 1975 which i suspect is incorrect as he certainly doesnt look like someone whos 45, hes certainly closer to 50 imo as he was playing for pakistan since 1992

Anyway he played his last game in 1996 for pakistan
Must be tough thinking your intnl career came to an end in your mid 20s amongst all this drama

Definitely.

He was listed as 17 year old when I first saw him. Looked around 22 or 23.

 

[Saj]

This poor guy is still almost living in fear, even after all these years.

He must have had some serious pressure put on him.

 

[Savak]

His profile states he was born in 1975 which i suspect is incorrect as he certainly doesnt look like someone whos 45, hes certainly closer to 50 imo as he was playing for pakistan since 1992

Anyway he played his last game in 1996 for pakistan
Must be tough thinking your intnl career came to an end in your mid 20s amongst all this drama

Atta was going to be dropped anyways. He didn't set the world a lite with his performances. He was not going to survive given the talent he was going to compete with i.e. Mohd Zahid, Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Nazir, Mohd Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Abdul Razzaq e.t.c. He is deluded if he thinks he would have had a legendary career even ignoring the match fixing drama that went on.

 

[Saj]

Ata is a taxi/delivery driver in East Midlands (UK) these days.

 

[Savak]

Ata is a taxi/delivery driver in East Midlands (UK) these days.

Was watching a video chat interview. He claims he left the Fata coaching job for the PCB because the pay was horrible i.e. Rs 70,000 a month and he can't even support a family with that in Pakistan let alone the fact his wife and 3 kids are living in the UK. Apparently he has coaching certificates, are they Pakistani coaching certificates or UK/ICC? Has he tried applying for coaching roles in Cricket in the UK?

I find it hard to imagine that being a taxi and delivery driver in the UK pays more than a Cricket Coaching role there

 

[Saj]

Was watching a video chat interview. He claims he left the Fata coaching job for the PCB because the pay was horrible i.e. Rs 70,000 a month and he can't even support a family with that in Pakistan let alone the fact his wife and 3 kids are living in the UK. Apparently he has coaching certificates, are they Pakistani coaching certificates or UK/ICC? Has he tried applying for coaching roles in Cricket in the UK?

I find it hard to imagine that being a taxi and delivery driver in the UK pays more than a Cricket Coaching role there

He's ECB Level 2 certified.

 

[Savak]

He's ECB Level 2 certified.

Whats the highest coaching certificate available in the UK? Has he tried applying for coaching roles in club cricket, county cricket and what is the pay structure like? I would assume someone would choose to do a survival job like taxi driving or delivery services while continuing to apply on the side in their professions. I fear Atta may have given up the idea of finding a job in Cricket again. I have seen many immigrants in Canada fall into this trap

 

[Saj]

Whats the highest coaching certificate available in the UK? Has he tried applying for coaching roles in club cricket, county cricket and what is the pay structure like? I would assume someone would choose to do a survival job like taxi driving or delivery services while continuing to apply on the side in their professions. I fear Atta may have given up the idea of finding a job in Cricket again. I have seen many immigrants in Canada fall into this trap

As far as I know 4 levels and then some advanced level courses.

 

[Savak]

As far as I know 4 levels and then some advanced level courses.

Thanks for clarifying. Is it expensive to pursue them? Does the ECB allow people to do the courses part time? This could be a practical option for Atta unless he has given up the thought of getting a decent job in Cricket again.

 

[Saj]

Thanks for clarifying. Is it expensive to pursue them? Does the ECB allow people to do the courses part time? This could be a practical option for Atta unless he has given up the thought of getting a decent job in Cricket again.

A lot of clubs in the UK pay for their overseas pros to take these courses.

 

[MenInG]

46 years old today.

Nothing much to show for in his career except for comments like one in post #1

 

[Varun]

Fair to say Wasim Akram is the luckiest cricketer to escape scrutiny for his dealings of the 1990s.

 

[Zaz]

Fair to say Wasim Akram is the luckiest cricketer to escape scrutiny for his dealings of the 1990s.

His high profile has meant hes escaped any sort of questioning to all these allegations which a lesser player would have had to give

 

[mazkhan]

It will be difficult for him to get a gig at country cricket as a coach in county or their academy.

Only option is for him to get his level 3 or 4 and then try to get a coaching role in pakistani domestic cricket or psl , or maybe uae . But he seems to burnt his bridges with the relevant people in pakistan.

A shame really a ecb qualified coach could help a lot at domestic or at the performance centre at lahore for younger pace prospects.

 

[hitthestump]

Fair to say Wasim Akram is the luckiest cricketer to escape scrutiny for his dealings of the 1990s.

He has mostly stayed away from official cricketing roles after his playing days. That way he's allowed his skeletons to stay firmly in the closet and people just remember the good things about him.

It also helps that he was very, very good at bowling. Admiration of his skills takes precedence over his murkier dealings.

 

[Snowflake]

46 years old today.

Nothing much to show for in his career except for comments like one in post #1

Hmm, weird take on the issue, MenIng. Everyone knows Wasim's past and the fact that he ruined Ata's career. Certainly a big enough reason for Ata toh hold that grudge and voice it whenever we wants.

 

[Kroll]

Fair to say Wasim Akram is the luckiest cricketer to escape scrutiny for his dealings of the 1990s.

Well it was lucky for you guys in the WC 96 QFs.

 

[Saj]

He played a lot of club cricket around the UK once he left Pakistan, married a girl from the UK and did his ECB Level 2 badges.

It's rumoured he never did reveal everything due to a few people telling him to stay quiet.

 

[Savak]

Sadly Atta has no influence in Pakistan. Hence no one will really listen to him whether he is telling the truth or not. This is just how it is in this world. He also stated that he left the PCB because no one could survive in Pakistan with such a low salary and it is even harder if your family is in the UK where you have to send funds in pounds and you are earning in PKR. I am sure Mohd Zahid too faced the same issues.

 

[Savak]

Fair to say Wasim Akram is the luckiest cricketer to escape scrutiny for his dealings of the 1990s.

Wasim by 1993-94 when these allegations first started to surface against him was already a legend in Pakistani Cricketing Circles and was already a powerful social figure in Pakistan, there was no way any action would be taken against him. Even Malik Qayyum and Tauqir Zia admitted that the reason why they chose not to take drastic action against him was because of the directives of the then President Musharraf and the controversy it would create if they took action against a very popular player

 

[Varun]

Well it was lucky for you guys in the WC 96 QFs.

That one I don't think was a fix.

For starters you would think that he would much rather prefer to control the game from being on the field rather than outside it.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Former wicket-keeper Rashid Latif slams lifetime ban on Ata-ur-Rehman, calls it unjust. In an interview, he said:

"The lifetime ban on Ata-ur-Rehman was wrong. Later, they claimed he had given false statements. At that time, Tariq Rahim was the Governor of Punjab. Two statements were presented before him regarding Ata-ur-Rehman’s testimony, and that's what cost him his career."

"Initially, it seemed like there were two or three other big names involved, but someone blocked their exposure. Soon, we’ll find out who protected them. Saleem Malik’s career was over after playing more than 100 Test matches, so he became an easy target. There was a two-year inquiry—something that should make everyone think—yet nothing came of it. Seventy-two people testified, including 32 Test players, 10 PCB chairmen, even Imran Khan and Javed Burki—who didn’t show up? How can nothing come out of all that?"

"They could have been cross-examined properly. They could have even called me—I had seen them. They were at the Oberoi Hotel in Colombo in 1994. Sadly, many of them have now passed away."

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

What a farce.

Why would an international player's statements be presented to some Tariq Rahim The Governor of Punjab ? Banana Republic na.

It was only PCB duty or criminal proceedings should have been held in Courts. That's it.

Off course Atta Ur Rehman and Salim Malik were made scapegoats. Esp Atta.

Superstars were saved. Be it be two premier fast bowlers or 3 premier batsman and one premier spinner.


Let's conclude that from 1992 to 1999 and than from 1999 to 2007 those Super Duper Stars could not win a single champions trophy or World Cup for Pakistan nor became a Test force like West Indies, England, Australia or India.


Hence it was only Imran Khan under whom we ruled in Test Cricket for a brief period of time and Won a World cup under his command. I am sure if Imran Khan had such corrupt habits or method as like these super stars had (as reflected in qayyum report & as quoted by reliable news sources ) than Pakistan would have achieved nothing at all.


These superstars were not made a " Misaal " a Lesson for next generation resulting in Pakistan losing most Intelligent and shrude leader in shape of Salman Butt and most talented, skilled and exciting fast bowlers produced in last 25 years by Pakistan named Mohammad Asif & Mohammad Amir.