Zulqarnain Haider makes first public appearance in UK
Pakistan wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider made his first public appearance and spoke with the media in Southall in UK and said that he had escaped from Dubai because of his fear for his life. Haider also
exhorted the International Cricket Council to tap the telephones of all the cricketers to understand which players are involved in the murky match-fixing deals.
Haider said the ultimatum presented ot him was simple: assist in match-fixing or face death.
“If you work with us, we will give you a lot of money. If [not and] you go back home, we will kill you and your family," was how Haider described the dilemma presented to him to a packed press conference.
Haider did not reveal any names of players who he thought could be involved in match-fixing, but did say that there were many who were a part of the syndicate. He also said that he would love to help the
ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security Unit in any way that he could.
Describing his own situation, Haider said: "It was very hard for me when I got threats from one person in Dubai. I just felt very nervous that he gave me threats."
When asked why had he decided to escape rather than speak it out to the management or the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket Board, Haider chose to praise England and its laws.
He said: "This country is very humane, very co-operative, and there are very nice people here and there are very good rules here for my safety."
He also added that by telling the Pakistan management, there could have been trouble for others like his family who was also allegedly threatened by the same men.
Haider said that he had met the Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK and asked for asylum in UK. However it remains to be seen whether he will be allowed asylum given that the government has already claimed
that they will not support Haider’s bid for asylum and the PCB has ended Haider’s contract.
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