The Hindu : Sport : Haider quits, seeks asylum in the UK

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Haider quits, seeks asylum in the UK

The wicketkeeper says he and his family received death threats

— Photo: AFP

THAT'S IT:Zulqarnain Haider has decided to call it a day and seek asylum in the UK after receiving death threats.

LAHORE: Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who abandoned the team and flew to London, announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday after revealing that he had received death threats.

“I am retiring from international cricket,” said Haider over phone from London. “There is too much pressure on me, I have received death threats, my family has received threats,” he said.“When I went out of the hotel (after the fourth ODI) to have dinner, a person followed me. He was alone but I felt there were two or three people behind him. I can describe him. He spoke Urdu but I cannot describe the accent accurately,” Haider said.

“He said ‘You will make lots of money if you join us and help us. If not, then staying in the team could be difficult and we can make things difficult for you.' I don't know why I was approached and others weren't.”

Haider said he had taken his passport from the team management after the fourth ODI on the pretext of buying a mobile connection.

“I did not do what I was asked to do in the fourth one-dayer and this was the reason I left the team and came to London,” he said.

The PCB has said it would launch an inquiry into Haider's case and said he should have told the team managers about the threats, but the wicketkeeper said he kept quiet to protect the other players. “If I had told the PCB or players, it would've gotten out and then who knows? I don't feel it would've been better to tell anyone, including the authorities there. If I had told any of the other players, it might have put them in trouble too,” Haider said.

Haider thanked the PCB for giving him a chance to play for Pakistan. “I would like to thank the chairman and selectors for supporting me and selecting me. The management has not put me under any pressure over anything,” he said.

Haider has sought political asylum in the UK.

“I understand there is a rule in Britain that if you are right and if you are not a criminal, then they always protect you,” said Haider.

“My country (Pakistan) is like my mother and anyone who sells it cannot get anything in life. I did not want to sell my mother, I did not want to sell my country and so I did what I thought was best.”

Security has been beefed up at Haider's house in Lahore, but the wicketkeeper said he continues to fear for his family's safety. “I cannot say what kind of threats I have received as my family is still in Pakistan,” he said.

His family has asked him to return home.

“He should return to Pakistan or, if he has issues coming back home because of the threats, he should at least come back to Dubai and join the team again,” his brother Aqeel Haider said.

Haider's wife Qurutul Ain appeared on a television channel with her father-in-law pleading for her husband to return at least to Dubai.

Meanwhile, Haider was questioned by officers of Scotland Yard and ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit in London on Tuesday.

A news channel also reported that the British Border and Home Office had started the process of reviewing his asylum application.

“Presently they have told him not to move out of the hotel without informing them and have also taken his mobile for further investigation,” the channel reported.

Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, said that so far Haider had not approached him for any assistance.

“I don't know what has happened with him but certainly he has not followed the proper channels so far. As far as his returning to Pakistan is concerned and his fears about his security I can tell you the government can provide him security,” he added. — Agencies

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