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Affidavit of Ata-ur-Rehman

Editor's note: What follows is the verbatim text of the affidavit -- the second one -- filed by Ata-ur-Rehman. A faxed copy of the affidavit is in our possession.

I, Ata-Ur-Rehman (holder of Pakistan passport number C180047), a professional Cricketer of Flat 1, 108 St Geroges Terrace Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne and also of House No 11, Street Number 1, Rajghar, Lahore, Pakistan MAKE OATH and say as follows:

1. I make this Affidavit of my own free will. I have seen the controversy in the newspapers, radio and television regarding the match-fixing allegations against Wasim Akram. I am told that the Pakistan Cricket Board is relying on a letter I signed accusing Wasim of offering me money to lose a match in New Zealand.

2. I wish to make it clear that the hand-written note which is being relied on was signed by me only because I was led to believe that I was not being included in the Pakistan Cricket Team because Wasim did not want me in the side. I was approached by a couple of players who told me that if I signed the letter implicating Wasim he would not be able to control selection for the team and I would as a result be back in the team playing for Pakistan.

3. I was told by these players that the letter would never be made public and was only to be used to weaken Wasim's control of team selection. I now know that this is not the case and wish to correct the contents of that letter. The letter in any event was not written by me, I signed the letter which was prepared by the players who approached me.

4. Wasim did not offer me money to bowl poorly against New Zealand in Christchurch. He did not ask me to try and lose the match. I have known Wasim for nine years and he has never suggested that I or any other players should be involved in match fixing. I regard Wasim as a great sportsman and do not believe he could ever be involved in match fixing.

5. I appeared before the Senate in Pakistan and confirmed that the contents of my letter were true. I did this because having signed the letter I did not see how I could retract the contents. I have seen the damage my letter has done to Wasim and now wish the truth to be known. I accept I was naïve is signing the letter but I did so only because I desperately wanted to be back in the team.

Sworn this 21st day of September 1998.

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