'Zulqarnain exit is shameful for Pakistan'

Imran Khan calls for clean-up of Pakistan cricket, says players and admin involved in corruption should not be spared.

KARACHI: Former captain Imran Khan has called for a clean-up of Pakistan cricket and said wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider's sudden exit to Britain to seek asylum was a ‘shameful' incident.

‘It is really shameful the way he left the team and reached London,’ Imran told a private tv channel on Wednesday.

‘At the moment we don't know the facts that compelled him to do this but nevertheless it is another embarrassing moment for Pakistan and its people.

‘Sadly this incident only gives credence to the feeling our players are linked with bookmakers or are controlled by them. The recent spot-fixing allegations have not been helpful at all for Pakistan cricket,’ added Imran.

Zulqarnain fled the team's hotel in Dubai on Monday, hours before the fifth and final one-day against South Africa, and flew to London.

Imran said he was never threatened in his 21 years in international cricket.

‘We need to clean up the administration and the team and those players who, if they are involved in corruption, should not be spared,’ he said.

‘We need to do this since it is better than the Pakistani people facing shame and embarrassment on a daily basis because of our cricket.’

Imran dismissed the idea the International Cricket Council (ICC) governing body was against Pakistan.

‘I don't think the ICC is against us,’ he said. ‘Those days are gone when only Australia, England and New Zealand could run world cricket.

‘Whatever problems we face today it is because of our own shortcomings and mistakes.’