Thaindian News

London, Nov 10 (IANS) Pakistan cricketer Zulqarnain Haider, who fled to London, has ruined his chances of playing for his country in future. A Pakistani official said Hiader has “played his last game for Pakistan”.

The 24-year-old wicketkeeper, who fled from Dubai without informing team officials Monday, has decided to retire from international cricket claiming he had received death threats from match-fixers in Dubai.

Ex-Pakistan captain Rameez Raza, who was also a chief executive officer of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said Haider had played his last game for Pakistan.

“The advice from headquarters is that he has played his last game for Pakistan. The PCB won’t encourage him to come back and play again, because the whole thing is a total embarrassment,” Raza was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

Haider quietly arrived in London Monday afternoon. He left Dubai without informing anyone as Pakistan was preparing to play a one-day international against South Africa the same day.

Haider had no visa for his entry to London, but he was granted temporary admission by immigration officials who asked him to consult a counsellor.

In an interview to Pakistani channel Geo News, Haider said: “I have decided to retire from international cricket. Some man came to me and said that if I joined them (in fixing matches), I will get a lot of money.

“He also told me that if I do not work with them, they will get me kicked out of the team and there will be a lot of trouble for me. They were clear threats and I decided to flee.

“I received death threats to lose the fourth and fifth one-day internationals against South Africa but I could not compromise the dignity of my country. I would rather flee away than sell out my motherland.”