Mike Atherton Photo © John Dawson

Mike Atherton may find himself embroiled in controversy when he arrives in Pakistan.

Journalist, Asghar Ali, has issued a demand for an apology from Atherton for comments made at a Rawalpindi press conference during the 1996 World Cup. Atherton, fresh from defeat at the hands of South Africa, failed to understand Ali's broken English and asked, "Can someone get this buffoon out of here?"

Ali's initial misunderstanding exacerbated the exchange. He thought Atherton had called him a baboon. Ali is adamant that the remark has had a negative impact on his life.

"My personal life, my professional life and my financial life have been affected," he explained. Apparently it even resulted in the cancellation of his wedding, as his the woman he planned to marry "did not want to be the wife of a buffoon."

Ali, vice president of the Pakistan Sports Journalists' Association, is writing a book about the encounter, and its aftermath entitled: "Buffoon: me or you?"

"I have talked to many international cricket captains including Hansie Cronje and Ranatunga about Atherton," Ali said. "Their comments are in this book."

He has given the former England captain 10 days to issue a written, public apology or he will take the matter to court.

Although the England team manager apologised at the time, Atherton did not.

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