Silly point: BBC trapped in front by fake Pakistani cricketer
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A fraudster repeatedly impersonated a former Pakistan cricketer and tricked the BBC into paying him to appear on shows as an “expert” of the game, a report published by The Telegraph said.
Nadeem Alam — posed as former cricketer Nadeem Abbasi — acted as a cricket pundit to the BBC World News, BBC Asian Network and Radio Five Live.
More astounding, the only cricket Alam has ever played was for his hometown of Huddersfield. He even took part in a dialogue with former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra.
When Abbasi found out about the fraudster, he deplored the BBC on failing to check facts.
In an interview to British tabloid The Sun, Abbasi said: “If I ever find Nadeem Alam, I will punch him in the face for damaging the country's reputation.
“The BBC is a big institution and surely they must check?”
The Sun also took the impersonator Nadeem Alam on record. Alam said he is “no longer pretending to be Nadeem Abbasi”, adding: “I like to think I have been talking good cricket.”
After the incident, a BBC spokesman said: “We apologise to the real Mr Abbasi and we will be looking seriously into what has happened.”
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Comments (39) Closed
Mar 16, 2015 05:29pm
Lolllz! How silly is BBC becoming!
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Mar 16, 2015 05:39pm
Saw this show and he did good job, BBC should appoint him permanently.
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Mar 16, 2015 05:49pm
This is the story of BBC, anything to do with Pakistan, they tend to not investigate and get anyone with an asian name to comment, this is not the first time this has happened, even in Terror related instances, they get people from Think Tanks I or the general public have never heard of, and when you ask those individuals, about the last time they went to Pakistan, the answer is a blank facial expression.
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Mar 16, 2015 06:28pm
I wonder how they paid him. Surely they paid via cheque or bank transfer so didn't they notice his real name?
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Mar 16, 2015 06:55pm
This is the funniest thing I've read in a while. He should be a comedian lol
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Mar 16, 2015 07:33pm
I think Nadeem Alam impersonated Nadeed Abbasi, Nadeem Abbasi should pay him. Actually, we do not even know if he really impersonated Abbasi, or had him in his mind, and all could be later perception. Rarely anyone knows who Nadeem Abbasi was and if he really played cricket for Pakistan or not. So, I doubt if Nadeem Alam got the job because he was Nadeem Abbasi. I am pretty sure that this man, Nadeem Alam got the job because he presented himself good enough to impress the recruiter and get the job, not because he is unknown cricketer from Pakistan Nadeem Abbasi.
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Mar 16, 2015 08:16pm
If we put aside the ethical and moral aspects of this episode, perhaps we can focus on our tendency to give more credibility to WHO is saying something rather than WHAT is being said. I wish I had been able to see or read about what the expert comments were.
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Mar 16, 2015 08:42pm
Tomayto tomaato !
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Mar 16, 2015 08:42pm
Hahaha, britain is slowly becoming the third world country its political, banking system is already one of the worst in world.
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Mar 16, 2015 08:43pm
i can only do this after reading this piece brohahahahahahaha.............
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Mar 16, 2015 09:04pm
I thought these thing happen in Pakistan only.
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Mar 16, 2015 09:08pm
I don't think the real Nadeem Abbasi could have gotten the job at BBC. Alam obviously impressed BBC.
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Mar 16, 2015 09:09pm
Silly to me, as, BBC is one of the most popular broadcaster. Such impersonation with BBC is very astounded.
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Mar 16, 2015 09:26pm
I don't even know who Nadeem Abbasi is. Never heard of the guy.
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Mar 16, 2015 09:30pm
@Indian Mumbai - One rogue slipping away doesn't make them "How silly is BBC becoming" unless you have some other grudge against them. Still simmering from rape documentary?
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Mar 16, 2015 09:36pm
Who is Nadeem Abbasi?
Does it really matter?
Who cares?
BTW, if people start checking what the media is delivering, >50% would fall into the same category.
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Mar 16, 2015 09:42pm
@Canada A. Nadeem or Nadeem. A would have been the trick! ;)
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Mar 16, 2015 11:16pm
Even if he was real Abbasi and had also played "some" cricket ...even then it was not appropriate for BBC to give him a chance to give his "expert" opinion. Only those can give "expert" opinion who have remained active in cricket for a long period.
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Mar 16, 2015 11:41pm
I wonder if BBC chooses its pundits for other shows in a similar manner...
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Mar 16, 2015 11:44pm
@Harmony Not necessarily, it has to be linked to the other incident you mentioned. But yes, considering the image of a broadcaster like BBC, this is a goof up of highest order. How can they do a blunder like this?? Can't stop laughing still! Its silly indeed.
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Mar 16, 2015 11:48pm
@Jawwad this never happens in Pakistan when it comes to cricket - Pakistanis are way serious than the rest of the world when they talk cricket. On the contrary I do agree that it does happen in other areas like the so called political pundits who keep showing up in talk shows...
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Mar 16, 2015 11:59pm
@zak Instead, BBC will shunt few officials now permanently..:P
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Mar 17, 2015 12:12am
@Harmony Not necessarily, it has to be linked to that incident. This is indeed a major goof up on BBC's part, considering its stature.
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Mar 17, 2015 12:14am
@Jawwad Lol! is it?? are you serious? Any example? :P
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Mar 17, 2015 01:36am
Lo kar lo gal
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Mar 17, 2015 01:37am
Nadeem Dhoka dega
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Mar 17, 2015 01:38am
My Goodness!!!
BBC 4 sure!
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Mar 17, 2015 02:01am
oh come on cut this off quickly ... nadeem abbasi had played with me and he played a solitary test for Pakistan .... am laughing at the standards of BBC even if they would ever interview or ask for his expert opinion about cricket ... a guy who could not even hold a bat properly BBC is asking for his interview - oh my God !!...
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Mar 17, 2015 02:15am
Disgraceful. I work in the finance sector in UK. It gives me real shame and embarrassment when I find majority of fraud cases linked to an Asian person or gang.
People like these deserve a proper kick on their back sides and given tough sentences.
People like him are the reason why certain employers lose confidence and good Asian folks can't get the jobs they deserve.
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Mar 17, 2015 02:32am
Will the real Nadeem, please stand-up?
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Mar 17, 2015 03:26am
Funny thing is he is impersonating that most cricket followers have never even heard of!
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Mar 17, 2015 03:40am
Nadeem Alam is a professional cricketer from Manchester, born and bred in the UK, and has strong friendships with many former Pakistan Test stars. Not sure whether he impersonated some Nadeem Abbassi, but he sure knows his cricket. Being fluent in English with a British accent, he may have impressed the BBC with his knowledge of the game, which probably would have led to this role. Nadeem Alam, who goes by the nickname of Noddy, would probably qualify purely on his credentials. The "foulplay" is uncalled for though.
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Mar 17, 2015 04:10am
This incident tells a LOT about BBC continuously degrading standards...and we ALL jump to believe whatever BBC covers specifically for South Asia region.
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Mar 17, 2015 05:04am
He should be jailed for impersonating and people who hired him should be fired for not checking his credentials.
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Mar 17, 2015 06:08am
BBC is so naive that they can believe in anything.
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Mar 17, 2015 06:09am
Its mean BBC is always telecast false news, they do not have check in balance
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Mar 17, 2015 07:16am
Ridiculous!!!
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Mar 17, 2015 08:16am
How was the audience rating on Nadeem Alam?
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Mar 17, 2015 11:30am
See, this is the same BBC who made documentaries on Karachi law and order on the "orders" of Imran Khan. What's its credibility now?
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