Runaway young Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Hiader has returned from England Monday ending his self-exile following assurances by the Interior Minister Rehman Malik that security would be provided to him and his family. Talking to media on his arrival at Benazir International Airport, Zulqarnain said that Pakistani government had assured to provide fool proof security to him and his family after which he took the decision to settle back in Pakistan.
“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 after meeting Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Sports Minister Shaukatullah. “I had my reasons for doing what I did. I have conveyed my issues to the government now,” he stated. Haider insisted that he decided to return from London and withdraw his application for asylum because of assurances given by Rehman Malik.
The young Pakistani cricketer said that the person who gave him death threats was an Indian. The accused has been traced but motives and elements behind the threat have not been determined. He said that Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law was involved in gambling and an investigation should be launched into the matter. He said that Umar Akmal had an inappropriate behaviour towards him in the series against South Africa in Dubai.
“I came back after the minister assured me about the security and safety of myself and my family,” he stated. Haider had fled the team hotel last November during an ODI series against South Africa and on reaching London claimed that he had received death threats for refusing to take part in match fixing. Later, he also called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik during his visit to UK and informed him about the entire situation and threats he faced.
The Interior Minister had assured him about his security on his return to the country. He claimed receiving two more death threats while he was preparing to return to Pakistan last week. Before leaving for Islamabad on Sunday night, Haider said that the person who threatened him was an Indian national. He said that he made all-out efforts to end corruption in cricket. He urged the International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board to take steps to end malpractices in the game.
The 24-year old keeper said he was keen to resume his cricket career and hoped that the PCB would allow him to do so. “I will be meeting with the Chairman of the board soon to resolve this issue and convey my point of view,” he said. The keeper was not allowed to speak to the media as he returned home this morning and was whisked away by security personnel in a waiting car to Rehman Malik’s office where he was to meet the minister.
Rehman Malik said that he had advised Haider to get in touch with the PCB and sort out his issues with them. “I have told him we will take care of his security but he must focus on resolving his issues with the board so that he can resume playing cricket again,” Malik said.
The PCB said Monday that Haider had not yet been in touch with them. “If he makes a contact, then only we will have to decide whether he will have to appear before the committee. He didn’t submit details sought by the fact-finding committee last year,” PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar was quoted by a news agency.
Haider played one Test, against England at Birmingham last year, as well as four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals in a short career. On his Facebook page Haider had also promised to name Pakistani players involved in match-fixing, but he never did so.
MONITORING DESK ADDS: Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law Muhammad Ilyas has sued Zulqarnain Haider for Rs 150 million over defamatory comments by the wicket-keeper. Zulqarnain had earlier accused Ilyas of being involved in gambling and called for an investigation to be launched against him.
