Atif Bashir

Atif Qureshi Bashir (born 3 April 1985) is a former professional football player who played as a defender. Born in Germany, he represented the Pakistan national team.

Early career
Born to a German Turkish mother and British Pakistani father, Bashir started as a defender equally comfortable playing at right-back, and the centre of defence. Bashir spent seven years as a youth at professional clubs such as Hertha Berlin and Cardiff City.

Welsh football
After leaving Cardiff City, Bashir signed for Afan Lido in 2004 and played 11 games scoring 1 goal for the club. After one season with Lido, he went to Maesteg Park A.F.C. in 2005 and spent one season playing 34 games and scoring two goals. He then went to Cardiff Grange Quins in 2007, making eight appearances in the Welsh Premier League, scoring one goal. He had a short spell at the Welsh Premier League team Haverfordwest County A.F.C. and then moved to Barry Town, where he impressed and became a fans' favourite, also becoming Barry's first international player. He later on made a move to Bridgend Town in 2010 but in the same year he returned to Barry Town.

English trials
In July 2010, Bashir had a trial with English Conference National side Luton Town. He impressed the fans in a pre-season friendly match against Dunstable Town, but he was surprisingly not offered a contract by Luton Town manager Richard Money.

In August 2010, he had a trial with another English Conference National side, Histon, playing in a pre-season friendly match against Dagenham & Redbridge. A transfer to Histon looked set to happen, but Histon manager John Beck resigned shortly after Bashir's trial, so he returned to Barry Town for the start of the 2010–11 season.

In October 2010, and then again in November 2010, Bashir undertook trial spells with Conference North outfit AFC Telford United.

Bashir undertook a trial spell with Conference National side Newport County in July 2011, featuring in a pre-season friendly match against Mangotsfield United.

Last years
Following his return to Barry town, in the 2012–13 season whilst playing against his former team Haverfordwest, he sustained an injury which put him out for the rest of the season and possibly the rest of the 2013–14 season.

At the beginning of the 2014–15 season, Bashir returned to game action for Barry Town. After a few games with the club, he departed from the club and joined local rivals, Dinas Powys.

International career
Akhtar Mohiuddin has stated that "...born to a British-Pakistani father and a Turkish German mother, Atif could have theoretically played for Germany, Turkey, or any of the British Home Nations, as well as Pakistan whom he eventually chose. He made his debut for Pakistan in the 2008 SAFF Championship against the host Maldives, followed by matches against India and Nepal".

In 2008, Bashir was called up to represent Pakistan. Although initially part of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup squad, he could not join the team because his Pakistani passport had not been issued. A few months later, Bashir made his International Debut for Pakistan in the 2008 SAFF Championship against the Maldives, before facing India and Nepal in the first round.

In October 2010, he was also included as one of three overage players in an under-23 Pakistan squad for the 2010 Asian Games in China, where Pakistan faced Thailand, Maldives and Oman in November 2010.

In March 2011, Bashir represented Pakistan in their unsuccessful 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifying campaign, appearing at the heart of the defence alongside Zesh Rehman in defeats to Turkmenistan and India. However, he helped Pakistan to victory in their final match, scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Chinese Taipei at the MBPJ Stadium with a long-range strike that saw Pakistan finish third in Group B.

He continued to cement his place as a regular in the Pakistan national side, featuring in both legs of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh in June and July 2011. He also featured in the 2011 SAFF Championship.

In the end of 2012, a knee injury while playing for Barry Town proved to be the end of his international career, although later in 2014 he hinted a return to the national side.

Personal life
Apart from his football career, Bashir has expressed his interest in becoming a model. He started studying for a degree in Quantity Surveying at the University of Glamorgan in September 2008. In September 2011, Bashir was awarded a full university football scholarship and had been involved in all games in the BUCS football league representing his University at the highest level in the United Kingdom.

Career statistics

 * Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first.