Zulqarnain Haider justifies decision to abandon team on return to Pakistan – Cricket news
Pakistan wicketkeeper batsman Zulqarnain Haider justified his decision of abandoning the side midway through the One Day International series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 in November 2010.
Haider said he received death threats from unknown match-fixers, which led to him fleeing from Dubai.
Haider, who returned to Pakistan Monday after being in hiding for more than five months in England, met http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik on his return and conveyed his concerns to the government.
“I had a potentially growing career with the Pakistan team when I took the decision. No sensible person would sacrifice his career like this without any reason,” Haider said. “I had my reasons for doing what I did. I have conveyed my issues to the government
now.”
According to Haider, he was forced to take the sudden decision due to life threats from unknown people. He further pointed out that he decided to return home because of the assurances given by the Government of Pakistan.
Earlier in his stance, Zulqarnain claimed that he was harassed by a group, particularly by Umar Akmal. He further accused the ‘Akmal Brothers’ as one of the major reasons for his exit from the national side.
Haider was brought into the team as replacement for Kamran Akmal in 2010. The right-handed batsman fascinated everyone by scoring 80 runs on his Test debut against England. In addition, he played a fantastic match-winning innings against South Africa during
the ODI series in Dubai.
Haider, who has served Pakistan cricket team in one Test match, four ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals, has played 71 first-class matches, in which he scored over 3,000 runs at an average of almost 35.
The wicketkeeper explained that he and his family have been assured complete security by the Government of Pakistan. The right-hander further expressed that he was keen to resume his cricket career and hoped to get assistance from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
He said, “I will be meeting with the Chairman of the board (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128) soon to resolve this issue and convey my point of view.”
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