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Zulqarnain Haider quits cricket
Haider says he received continuous threats from a man who spoke in Urdu.
This file picture taken on August 8, 2010 shows Pakistan batsman Zulqarnain Haider celebrating scoring against England on his debut test on the third day of the second NPower Test match at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday, saying he is doing what he thinks is right.
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told The Express Tribune these are media reports and that Haider has not communicated this decision to the board.
Haider said he had been approached by a person who asked him to fix the fourth and fifth one-dayers. “I was told to cooperate or I would face lot of problems,” Zulqarnain said from London before later announcing he was retiring from international cricket.
“I have decided it is best for me to retire from international cricket since my family and I are constantly getting threats. It is best I leave international cricket.”
Defending his retirement decision, Haider says he has quit cricket as he is continuously receiving threats from an a man speaking in Urdu, who first contacted him when he used to go out from the hotel to have lunch.
Haider has revealed that this is not the first time in his career that he has received threats. He said he was asked to accommodate some players in the team when he was captaining the Lahore side in the domestic cricket.
Haider has refused to comment on his application for political asylum. He says the British immigration officials have directed to keep this matter confidential.
He says he will write a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board to defend his decision to retire from international cricket.
Also, Zulqarnain Haider has thanked the team management, senior players and the PCB for their support in his short cricketing career.
Pakistan is my mother, I can’t think of selling her: Haider
Talking to the media via telephone from London on Monday, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider said he could not compromise on his principles and therefore left for England.
“God knows who is involved in match-fixing… Pakistan is my mother. I can’t think of selling my mother,” the wicketkeeper told a private news channel referring to the threats that led to his withdrawal from the team. He added that he had “starved before and can do the same in the future”, referring to his financial situation.
He launched a passionate appeal to the media to help him bring his wife and children to England as he was seriously short of money. Zulqernain said that he has not been detained by the immigration authorities in Britain and that UK immigration authorities treated him well but he refused to disclose his whereabouts. He further added that he had no money to hire a lawyer but has faith that God will help him through the ordeal.
Talking to Express 24/7, former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Tauqeer Zia said “I think there will be more scandals if Haider speaks out the truth. I hope PCB can help him out,” adding that the scandal needs to be investigated so cricket can be free of corruption
“Frankly, he is not a match winner. If he has been threatened then there must be other players who must have been contacted,” said Zia.
Former cricketer Zaheer Abbas told Express 24/7 that Haider is a God-fearing man and therefore his statements may be correct.
“No one from the PCB has said a word about Haider or how they will look into this matter. I am really shocked,” he said, adding that Haider has to reveal the truth about what really happened to him and has to give names.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief called Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider to report an official compliant in order for them to start investigation in the alleged death threats.
Speaking to Emirates 24/7, Brigadier Khalil Al Mansouri, Head of Dubai Police CID said that they did not start any investigation into the Pakistani wicketkeeper’s claims.
“If he received death threats or any other types of threats, then he should come forward and file an official report. We cannot start investigations on our own. Someone should come forward and report the incident or the threat.”
He pointed out that they came to know about this incident from the media.
“We did not get the official story from the Pakistani team either,” he said.
British press abuzz with cricket scandals – again
The British media said Pakistani cricketer Zulqarnain Haider’s flight to England, after deserting his team just before the final One Day International against South Africa in Dubai, has ‘disturbed’ the International Cricketing Council (ICC).
One British newspaper quoted ICC sources, saying the council believes Zulqarnain is ‘absolutely straight’ as regards his innocence.
Media reports say ICC concerns have grown to see a player considered to be above suspicion in the recent spot-fixing scandal, being targeted by criminals behind betting operations.
British media quoted ICC sources saying there is no suggestion that Zulqarnain is guilty of anything except producing a brilliant performance to help his team win in the fourth one day against South Africa.
Media reports say ICC acknowledges the fact that players’ families have been threatened before by these criminals and PCB is doing everything to help Zulqarnain and his family.
Haider was seen at the Heathrow airport later last night and is reportedly seeking political asylum.
I will give reasons for my decision to leave Dubai: Haider
Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider arrived in England after mysteriously disappearing hours before the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.
“I have come here on my own expenses on a one month visa. I will be staying at a hotel on my own expenses,” Zulqarnain told a private news channel after spending nearly four hours with immigration authorities at Heathrow Airport.
“I will speak in detail on the reasons for my decision to leave Dubai and come to London later on,” he said without elaborating any further.
Earlier, Pakistan’s team management said the keeper was last seen at the team’s hotel in Dubai early in the morning.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Zulqarnain had not informed them he was planning to leave the hotel nor had he told them the reason for his sudden decision.
“A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances surrounding this incident and no further comment will be made until the facts are known,” the PCB said in a statement.
In a message on his Facebook account, Zulqarnain appeared to suggest he was worried about his personal safety after receiving threats. “Leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad messages for lose the match in last game,” he wrote.
Pakistan officials reported Zulqarnain’s disappearance to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security unit, as well as local police.
The 24-year-old scored an unbeaten 19 and hit the winning runs as Pakistan levelled the five-match series 2-2 in the fourth one-dayer on Friday.
Media reports say ICC concerns have grown to see a player considered to be above suspicion in the recent spot-fixing scandal, being targeted by criminals behind betting operations.
British media quoted ICC sources saying there is no suggestion that Zulqarnain is guilty of anything except producing a brilliant performance to help his team win in the fourth one day against South Africa.
Media reports say ICC acknowledges the fact that players’ families have been threatened before by these criminals and PCB is doing everything to help Zulqarnain and his family.
He was seen at the Heathrow airport later last night and is reportedly seeking political asylum.
Threatening messages
His brother Reza told Reuters from Lahore that Zulqarnain had expressed fears after receiving threatening messages. “The last time I spoke to him he told me he was getting threatening messages after the fourth match and to pray for him,” said Reza before adding his family was in touch with Zulqarnain and concerned about his safety.
“We would like to know a lot of things like why did the PCB management give him his passport, were they aware of the threats he had got?”, Reza said.
The PCB said Zulqarnain had asked Pakistan officials for his passport. “Zulqarnain was in possession of his passport at the time he left the hotel, which he had taken from the team management the previous evening for personal use,” said the board.
PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told Reuters that Zulqarnain had breached his central contract. “He will definitely face an inquiry and disciplinary action whenever he contacts us. But we are concerned about this whole situation,” said Rizvi.
Lahore police official Rana Faisal said they were investigating Zulqarnain’s disappearance. “We have received no official complaint but taking note of the media reports we have sent some officers to his house (in Lahore) to find out details,” Faisal said.
Zulqarnain has played one test, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 games for Pakistan.
With additional input from Reuters.
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it is all about getting fame . he should be fined and banned for 5 matches. Recommend
It is the hight of incabibility of Cricket officials. A well matured player depressed to this extent to leave the team and officials without any information and even he did not find his officals with the threats he received by any means. The Team Manager should resign immediately. How the passports is given to him – He was given passport on his request to purchase a SIM is unbelievable. Suppose if this is the case, by security point of view he should be facilitated to buy a SIM rather than give him permission to walk alone out of the hotel. A judicial inquiry should be conducted against the cricket’s officials including Chairman who himself was there.Recommend
I think he took money from Bookies and later didnt play by the script. Bookies dont force anyone into a deal but once you enter a deal, you cant double cross them. Recommend
5 matches..you are kidding… i would say for life time.Recommend
Pakistan is my mother, and hence i could abandon her without informing her or saving her. What a clumsy gesture … UK assylum has become a cheap option for everyone now, and so leaving your mother behind, tarnishing her image and showing what a unreliable son you are, you ran away. Good good! What a son for a mom to rely on???Recommend
Can’t we have a single series without a controversy? what the hell is wrong with our cricket, i would rather shut down PCB and have no cricket. No Cricket No shame….Recommend
I agree with touqeer Zia, this is one of the big scandal of cricket if he speaking truth in future , he knew it what did with Bob Wolmer. Recommend
It is high time issues were dealt with an iron hand. There will always be two sides of the story but for me one thing is common in both sides. What will make Ejaz Butt quit?. Pakistan Cricket has suffered its worst spell during his leadership. He is an embarrassment to this nation. From imposing penalties/bans which were later revoked to shocking statements to inability to lead…he has it all. Its nice to be a Pakistan cricket fan because you never get bored but I think the thin line of respect has been crossed for quite some time. No organization can continue when its leader is unable(or may be disabled) to lead it fit and proper.
But then again I guess this is the beauty of Democracy.Recommend
I hope he can get his family safely over there too… Our whole country is a joke … seriously whats the point of Pakistan???? and looking at some of the comments on this article who want him to be banned for life.. If these are 5% literate people in our country then God help the rest…and which obviously isnt happening at the moment..Recommend
Well Omar that calls for the entire PPP government to resign then. In Pakistan you either get fired or blown. You never resign! Ban the Pakistani cricket team till this mess is resolved.Recommend
Bad days for PCB. They handed over the passport to Haider easily and they dont know why he is asking for passport…rubbish !!!
something is fishy…
Money Matters…. (PCB)Recommend
I agree with Muhammad Arif, Omar A, Usman and Tauqir Zia as well. And what an interesting comment of “banning him for 5 matches or life”. Banning the person who did not fall to the possible lucrative offer to make some money on the respect and name of the whole country? You want the ban to be imposed on the person who CHOSE to stay honest and sincere to his job and his country where there is no place for such people?? Interesting logic and thinking. Well as Usman rightly said if this is the thinking and approach of 5% literate people of Pakistan, then GOD helps the rest.
May GOD protect Zulqarnain Haider and his family and I wish that he finds a better place in English cricket sometime as his own cricket board doesn’t seem to be on his side as it is clear so far from their “no-action and statement” for the player. Recommend
its a simple case of getting british passport for him and his family.Recommend
So this guy used the Pak Cric Team as a stair, .. now he walk over the team’s shoulders to get UK’s nationality and throw away his cric membership of pak team as a used tissue paper.
not to mention the 2 lac rs monthly salary , he has saved enough.
isn’t there some legal obligation to stay in the team? even the effin Pak Army makes you sign bonds of 5 or 7 years that you can’t leave army instantly . why not similar in cricket, when these guys get paid in lacs.
whats a shame and what a joke :s
deeply disappointedRecommend
Wonder why our cricketers are virtually illiterate (like most of our film/TV stars). This guy should’ve told his superiors or the Dubai police and got the criminals caught. Unless of course, as I suspect, he’s lying through his teeth, and staged this drama to get political asylum in UK.Recommend
I feel sorry for the poor guy, I’m pretty sure he is speaking the thruth. It just goes to show how corrupt Pakistan cricket really is. I’m sure he wasn’t singled out by the bookies, other players must have been told to underperform as well, which they probably did. The best thing to do right now would be to ban Pakistan cricket for five years until this mess can be cleaned up. And players (and officials) found guilty of fixing should be sentenced to jail time, regardless of whether they accepted money or were coerced. Of course none of this will happen because every segment of Pakistani society is equally corrupt, from the military to the maulvis.Recommend
The existing issues are seeds for these scenarios.. until or unless PCB and ICC won’t take previous cases seriously and don’t come up with any serious, honest, and properly investigated results they should be ready for such a new pop ups. Recommend
Poor Zulqarnain Haider made this decision too early and fast very bad for Pakistan and his cricket team,Recommend
whether he was receiving threats or not he should not have behaved like this. He “was” an international player. Further he don’t have the skills to be part of the National team for long time. so its good for him to be an “english” national and play county cricket instead of playing pakistan domestic circuit.
Any ways , best of luck man, Recommend
He could make more then enough money playing for Pakistan? Why would he give up fame and money for british passport? PCB officials and the team could be innvolved and thats why he could not tell them.
Maybe he told his team mates about the problem but cant name them because then they will also face problems.Recommend
I have tried really hard to believe Mr. Haider, I almost believed him for a day, but than I heard his Interview on Geo Super. First of all I think the guy is impulsive. The last time he broke his finger and was sent packing, he did an interview insinuating that there was something fishy with the management. With the Pakistani team being under a microscope, I really don’t think bookies would be walking up to them and threatening them in Dubai. Remember its Dubai. Why run away when he can report it to A) Team Management B) ICC C) Police.
Even if we believe him and think that the team are bunch of corrupt betting bookies he ran from dubai to london ? lol ..
What he has done has given a really bad name to the country. Going to England without papers and then filling up a political asylum application because they asked him to is lame. If I wear my flag , id rather wear it proudly. Hell come back to Pakistan get the whole media circus involved, they’d get you security. Recommend
This situation is due to only PCB Management…………….Rubbish. I Thought, once again there is going to happening something just like before happened against Pakistan & PCB. Recommend
I’m deeply saddened after going through Haider’s story. When I was in school in Lahore, our Sports Teacher always warned us about the perils of trying to play for the national side. Instead of being encouraged to become the best players possible, we were sometimes discouraged (rightly, I realize now) by telling us stories of how almost all the big players are constantly threatened and the game can never be played with a clean heart.
The point remains. The players should be treated as victims. Instead of pointing fingers at players who sold-out and jeering at ones who didn’t and ‘abandoned their mother’ as one person up here said, we should focus on getting rid of the match-fixing mafia. Yes, I’m stating the obvious here. But nobody seems to be doing anything about it.
Also, on another note, I think the grammar and spelling errors one comes across while reading The Express Tribune are appalling to say the least.Recommend
Haider needs to speak up the whole truth… this is the only way he can save Pakistan cricketRecommend
This is Dubai we are talking about here, not Pakistan and not even London.
The Dubai police would have taken quick action if “Zony” would have reported the threats to them even if the PCB management or ICC or even the White House was not willing to listen to him. We have seen the Dubai police in action over the last several months on a number of high profile murder cases etc, so why not on life threats to an International player. But they simply can’t take action if they don’t even have someone reporting or complaining about it.
Zony seems very naive in thinking that he can just run away, retire and his family etc would be safe or whatever the heck. I can’t believe for a minute that he was the only player recieving threats, if that was the case. There are 10 other players in the field wearing the Pakistan shirts. Why only him? It’s crazy to say that he made the winning runs in the 4th ODI etc. Ofcourse he was the last batsman in the field but the point is that he’s not the one responsible for Friday’s win. There need to be at least 3-4 players in a tea involved in match fixing for an outcome to be any different.
It’s a crazy situation. I was watching sports news on BBC and they were saying that he’s only 24 years old, in 4 years time, he would be eligible to play for England!!
What a load of rubbish!! He’s only played 5 international matches…. the guys shouldn’t have been picked if he was so scared of a few text messages or threats etc.
In the end it makes Pakistan cricket look like monkey business, and yea, I know it wasn’t looking any better before yesterday either!! Or should I say that all the faces in Pak cricket look like Butts now!! :)
Anyways, have a good & safe life “Zony”, I hope we don’t see you wearing a green shirt ever again.
And welcome Akmal # 3!!! LOLRecommend
PCB is a mafia now .it is growing day by day.
I think Zulquarnain is on the truth. He has sacrificed his Career and defended his country by not following the crooked teammates from kamran akmal to younis khan to salman Butt.
Someone should take into account the wealth these players have accumalated despite losing majority matches and not wining any series in last five years.Recommend
what a dirty soap opera Pakistan cricket has degenerated into.Recommend
Khurram@ Do you have any evidence of Younis Khan’s involvement in crooked deals? If not then it’s just your opinion and not a fact my dear. You need to stop with the “Pak Cricket team is crooked” theory. And where’s the evidence that “Zulquarnain is on the truth”…LOL
He seems like a 24 year old with a 14 year olds brain!!Recommend
Everyone should logically analyse the whole scenario.First point is that he isn’t a high profile and match winning player by any means and secondly bookies no matter how evil they are ain’t gona kill the golden egg laying goose by that i mean they never ever going to try to kill the cricketer or their family because cricketers are their livelihood.even if he got threatening call he should have informed the authorities like PCB,ICC and police at the same time but he instead went to england.Now how on earth he is so sure that bookies don’t have any connections to kill him in england???after all MQM leader was killed right in england.he is also asking for his family to be transfered in england!!This case is looking like a scam.Recommend
it’s a strange case…there is no other side of the story but speculation by med on what Mr. Haider has to say…. AND URDU SPEAKING what is that all about..? What a joke our sports institutions and their representative have become… I am trying hard to refrain myself from jumping to any conclusion this early….but political Asylum…bring his wife and children, not contacting the management , or ICC tricking the management to get the passport , not taking any senior in confidence these are all valid argument which make case of mr. Hairder bit…Fishy …?Recommend
Maybe its Kamran Akmal who threatened him? I agree he seems to have a mind of a 14 year old? Someone needs to analyze him psychologically. Maybe all this is in his head? Recommend
Here we ago again; in the spotlight – front and centre! Of course not with positive news on a very well faught series (yes Pakistan lost but it was exciting and definitely NOT one sided!) It is a bloody embarassment being a Pakistani cricket supporter – I truly pray to God that whether it takes Zulqarnain’s career to fix the corrupt Management/Team …so be it! Just play some cricket and keep it at that for Gods sake! Recommend
Some of the looser here are trying to blame the poor guy by saying that he needs the UK nationality and bla bla bla, Well if he fixes the match then he can make a lot of money. It is the kind of money that you can’t even think about.
Most Pakistani cricketers are corrupt and they fix the matches. I stopped watching the games 15 years ago but that’s not the solution.
The solution is to sent the team with Ijaz Butt to Sawat.
There is corruption in many countries but the Pakistani’s are trying to top it in every single field you can imagine.
God Bless PakistanRecommend
I think, if he was receiving ”threats”, he should have informed captain, coach or any ICC official, in order to investigate the problem. He was fined on sunday night for not comming back ontime to the team hotel along with his two team mates and then flew to London next morning without informing anyone?? what a joke! He has only damaged Pakistan’s integrity even if he is true.Recommend
Who was he to report to ? the whole team is in a huge mess. Corrupt country, corrupt politicians, corrupt leaders with corrupt board. He did the best thing. I will be the first one to step in to aid his stay in London. Yes and i’m a Cia/mossad/spaghetti monster’s agent. Recommend
Amer@ Younis khan were interogated by the parliamentary sports commitee (Jamsheaid Dasti was a member ) >Younis threatened to resign soon after the meeting but was later re appointed as captain of the team .lol,
Secondly dont forget BOB WOLMER was killed and its still a mystery.
Where in Earth Such events Happens!Recommend
This is really serious stuff. I feel bad for young zulqarnain, him and his family has been threatened and you are here passing judgements on his “patriotism”. I would like to know any of you “brave sons of the soil” to go against these bookies. Remember these are the same bookies who kidnapped Wasim Akram’s father!!!!! Even Wasim couldn’t do anything about it and eventually had to fix matches. This is a well known fact. If you guys want proof then i can send you the relevant links.Recommend
When did he start a career anyways? less then a dozen matches ago? lloooolll
He just wants UK citizernship and play county cricket there. He should be banned for life from cricket.Recommend
well, the brave commando Mush is in UK- Altaf bhai is in UK and we don’t have any problem with that but when it comes to a poor lower middle class guy no one of us wants to give him a “benefit of doubt”. Everyone looks like treating him as a “culprit”. We are good at blaming victims- it has become sought of our national habbit. Is it easy for a young professional cricketer to say “good bye” to the game at a promising stage, just when the success is dawning and dreams are coming true???????? Come on guys- lets be realistic and don’t get into this blame game until the guy is proved guilty.Recommend
Zulqi exposes Salman Butt and the whole NBP gang’s match fixing. Lets hope and pray that he name names and exploses more people.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/nov/09/zulqarnain-haider-pakistanRecommend
Where do they get Pakistani cricket players from?Recommend
Everyone trying to picture zulqurnain as good guy should also know that he was arrested by Dubai police when he was a member of under 19 cricket team on the charges of alcohol.His position in ODI wasn’t that good he didn’t performed any extraordinary innings and i m sure he wasn’t gona be selected in worldcup squad so he had nothing to loose!!!Recommend
I hope he talks and lets the world know whats really happenning. maybe this will be that big operation clean up that we’ve been waiting for. i dont mind if the team is banned for a couple of years if it is finally cleaned up.
Recommend
Those of you condemning Haider consider this. The team has a history of match fixing by groups of players. He doesnt know who to trust. He won you the last ODI by holding his nerve against South Africans. ( Somehow the Captain Afridi did not say a word about his performance in the speech afterwards) , Haider s passion for Pakistan and Victory was clear from his celebrations. How on earth can a player like that can turn from someone who has fought hard for a place in the National side to give it all up in 24 hours. Something serious has happened. IT made him think of his life and his loved ones. He cannot trust anyone in a team where the last skipper is banned for spot fixing. He doesnt know who to turn too. Perhaps the officials are in it too. The way the SOuth Africans were fielding that day also made me think that they perhaps didnt want to win. Maybe he spoiled it for far too many peoiple. We shall never know. Had he been corrupt he would have shut up and played ball. Instead he took the harder decision and walked away. Recommend
for all u people complained about Zulqarnain Haider not going to Police,IIC or pcb, U guys do know that the whole betting racket is being run by Dawood Ibrahim. He is probably in Dubai or karachi.Recommend
No one in this world like to quit his careers i think there is a big issue internally with Player,
PCB should investigate this matter,
if PCB don’t take any action then it will be happen with any other player,
so be careful in this matter, Recommend