ICC offers to support PCB and troubled wicketkeeper Zulqanain Haider

DUBAI - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has offered to support troubled wicketkeeper Zulqanain Haider and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in its ongoing probe into the causes behind his bizarre disappearance just hours before the final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.

“The ICC has today confirmed that it is in regular communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board and has offered to support the PCB in its current investigations into the reasons behind wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s decision to leave the Pakistan team on the morning of the final ODI against South Africa in Dubai,” said an ICC media release on Tuesday.

“At the same time, the ICC has also offered Haider, who left the UAE for London, any help he needs,” it added.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, “Clearly this is in the first instance a team matter for Pakistan cricket but the ICC is willing to provide assistance to the PCB and the player.”

“We understand his plight if reports are indeed true, but we can only help if he is willing to engage with us,” Lorgat added.

Earlier, the wicketkeeper had quietly slipped out of the Grand Hyatt in Dubai on Monday morning and boarded a London-bound flight. The player had not even discussed his plans with any of his team officials or fellow teammates.

On the morning of Pakistan’s final ODI match against South Africa, a message on Haider’s Facebook wall read: “leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game.” just hours before the final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.

Announcing his sudden decision to bow out from international cricket, he told a news channel that he was receiving threats from an unknown person, and thus he decided to leave Dubai immediately and went to London, where he is seeking asylum. (ANI)