Fact-finding committee submits report on ‘Haider episode’ to PCB

KARACHI - The three-member committee appointed to probe into former wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s dramatic escape to London after abandoning his team ahead of a match against South Africa, has submitted its report to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Following the bizarre episode in which Haider had disappeared from his team hotel in Dubai, only to resurface in London and seek asylum there, the PCB had terminated Haider’s contract and formed a fact-finding committee- headed by team manager Intikhab Alam and including team security manager Khawaja Najam and PCB official Subhan Ahmed- to establish the facts surrounding his disappearance, the Daily Times reported.

The committee finalised and submitted its report to the PCB on Monday, said the board, declining to make any further comment.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said that its anti-corruption staff had met Haider in London and offered support to him. The player faces severe punishment for violating ICC ethics by not telling the council that he was asked to influence match results for money.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt maintains the board’s decision on the Haider affair will be based on the committee’s report.

Earlier, the 24-year-old had fled the team hotel in Dubai on the morning of the fifth and final one-dayer against South Africa on November 8 without informing anyone.

After flying into London, Haider retired from international cricket and sought asylum in Britain, claiming that he received death threats from unknown people, who wanted him to influence the results of matches. (ANI)