Atherton to counter defamation case

Atherton to counter defamation case
Agence France Presse

Islamabad, January 27: Former England captain Michael Atherton’s reply to a defamation case will be filed on his behalf in a Pakistani civil court, sources said today.

‘‘We have been directed by Atherton and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to counter the defamation case against Atherton,’’ counsel Ather Ali Sheikh said.

Sheikh is one of two lawyers contesting the case on behalf of Atherton and ECB. Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Asgher Haider is the other lawyer.Atherton was sued for defamation by a Pakistani journalist Mohammad Asgher after the sportsman reportedly called Asgher a ‘‘buffoon’’ during a World Cup match press conference in 1996.

Atherton, then England captain, was frustrated by his team’s defeat and amid a hail of questions reportedly said ‘‘someone please remove this buffoon from here.’’

‘‘The court has asked us to file a written statement from Atherton in the next hearing scheduled for March 10,’’ Sheikh said.

Asgher had demanded a written apology from Atherton and when one was not forthcoming filed a suit in November last year for a sum of Rs 120 million ($two million).

Islamabad civil court judge Mohammad Salim Uppal had summoned Atherton on December 7 last year and despite being on a tour of Pakistan Atherton did not attend the hearing.

Sheikh refused to comment on the nature of the case.

‘‘I can’t say whether the case has life or not, follow this case in March,’’ he said.