A day after disappearing, Zulqarnain quits international cricket

KARACHI - A day after he went missing ahead of Pakistans one-day game against South Africa in Dubai, wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider has decided to retire from international cricket.

I have decided to retire from international cricket, said the 24-year-old in interview with Geo News Tuesday.

Zulqarnain fled from Dubai to London Monday fearing for his life. Zulqarnain revealed he received death threats in Dubai last week and confirmed that he has begged for asylum in Britain.

Some man came to me and said that if I joined them (in fixing matches) I will get a lot of money,” the wicketkeeper said.

He (the man who visited) also told me that if I will 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 from there,” Zulqarnain said.

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 the dignity and respect of my motherland, he said justifying the escape to London.

Zulqarnain spent hours being questioned by the UK Border Agency after arriving at Heathrow airport without a return ticket.

Immigration officials in the UK were kind to me and proposed me to hire the services of a counsellor but I am yet to reach a decision, he said.