The BBC "launched an official inquiry and apologised after it emerged that a convicted fraudster posing as a cricket expert was hired to give expert opinion on TV and radio stations," according to James Dunn of the London INDEPENDENT. Nadeem Alam reportedly posed as Nadeem Abbasi -- a former int'l batsman for Pakistan -- and gave "expert" opinions to the BBC on the team's efforts. Abbasi, who played three test matches for Pakistan in the late '80s, was said to be "furious." Abbasi, 46, who now coaches a side in Rawalpindi, said, “If I find Nadeem Alam I will punch him in the face for damaging the country’s reputation. My only media work was with Pakistan Television during the 1996 World Cup. The BBC is a big institution and surely they must check?" (INDEPENDENT, 3/14). In London, David Kent wrote Alam posed as Abbasi on BBC World News, BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live, "despite only ever playing for his home town of Huddersfield." His work "even included a discussion with former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra." A BBC spokesperson said, "We apologize to the real Mr. Abbasi and we will be looking seriously into what has happened" (DAILY MAIL, 3/15).
