Atif Bashir - International Career

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, either of the British Home Nations, as well as Pakistan to whom he eventually chose. He made 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 made. 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 stunning 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.