Imposter tricks BBC, poses as former Pakistan cricket batsman Nadeem Abbasi
Nadeem Alam posed as former batsman Nadeem Abbasi and gave 'expert' opinions on Pakistan team on BBC
Nadeem Alam on the BBC (L), and cricketer Nadeem Abbasi (R). PHOTO: MIRROR
Britain’s biggest news network, the BBC was recently left red-faced as an imposter posing as a former Pakistan cricket star was caught giving 'expert' opinions to the corporation on the team's performance.
Nadeem Alam, 46, posing as former batsman Nadeem Abbasi repeatedly conned BBC into paying him to appear on BBC World News, BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live.
Alam even had a discussion with former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra despite only ever playing for his home town of Huddersfield.
NADEEM ALAM ON BBC. PHOTO: BBC SCREENGRAB
Upon finding this out, Abbasi was furious and lashed out at the corporation for not checking their facts.
“If I ever find Nadeem Alam, I will punch him in the face for damaging the country's reputation,” Abbasi told The Sun.
Abbasi added, “The BBC is a big institution and surely they must check?”
NADEEM ABBASI. PHOTO: PCB
Alam, who has admitted blagging free sports gear by posing as a squash player, defended his knowledge of the sport, but says he will no longer continue to pretend to be Abbasi.
However, not embarrassed Alam said, "I like to think I have been talking good cricket. But I am no longer pretending to be Nadeem Abbasi."
Further, Abbasi's Wikipedia page was also tricked by Alam's actions, with part of his biography reading: "Abbasi is now a freelance journalist and appears regularly on the BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live."
However, the BBC apologised and launched an inquiry.
“We apologise to the real Mr Abbasi and we will be looking seriously into what has happened,” a BBC spokesperson said.
This article originally appeared on The Sun.
Nadeem Alam, 46, posing as former batsman Nadeem Abbasi repeatedly conned BBC into paying him to appear on BBC World News, BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live.
Alam even had a discussion with former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra despite only ever playing for his home town of Huddersfield.
NADEEM ALAM ON BBC. PHOTO: BBC SCREENGRAB
Upon finding this out, Abbasi was furious and lashed out at the corporation for not checking their facts.
“If I ever find Nadeem Alam, I will punch him in the face for damaging the country's reputation,” Abbasi told The Sun.
Abbasi added, “The BBC is a big institution and surely they must check?”
NADEEM ABBASI. PHOTO: PCB
Alam, who has admitted blagging free sports gear by posing as a squash player, defended his knowledge of the sport, but says he will no longer continue to pretend to be Abbasi.
However, not embarrassed Alam said, "I like to think I have been talking good cricket. But I am no longer pretending to be Nadeem Abbasi."
Further, Abbasi's Wikipedia page was also tricked by Alam's actions, with part of his biography reading: "Abbasi is now a freelance journalist and appears regularly on the BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live."
However, the BBC apologised and launched an inquiry.
“We apologise to the real Mr Abbasi and we will be looking seriously into what has happened,” a BBC spokesperson said.
This article originally appeared on The Sun.