Runaway Pak wicketkeeper Zulqarnain runs out of money in UK
By ANIThursday, January 20, 2011
LONDON - Runaway Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who stunned one and all by fleeing the team hotel in Dubai hours before the final one-day international against South Africa last year, has said he has run out of money.
Zulqarnain, who has lost around 10lbs in weight during a “very depressing” period, claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board was withholding his dues- amounting to15,000 pounds- from him.
He, however, said that he was “delighted” that his wife Shazia and daughters Zahra and Fizza would be joining him soon in the United Kingdom.
“I hope in one or two weeks they will be sitting with me in London or Birmingham,” Sky News quoted Zulqarnain, as saying.
“When my family come I’ll feel more able to do things,” he added.
After fleeing to London, Zulqarnain had claimed that he had got death threats from a person who wanted him to fix matches, and subsequently sought asylum in the UK.
He had also expressed his concern about his family’s security in Pakistan. “I am worried about my family’s security in Pakistan at the moment. Once they reach here (London), I will definitely unearth the corruption in Pakistan cricket,” he was quoted as saying earlier this month.
Zulqarnain said he would not play for Pakistan again, adding that he had not trained and has suffered mentally since his walkout in November last year.
The player is now hopeful that a deal with the Kent-based Lashings World XI will come through. “They’ve offered me a good contract,” he said.
Lashings chairman, David Folb, has intimated him that perhaps two or three counties may be interested in taking him on, when his status in the UK becomes clear, said the report.
“I want to pay tax and play normally here,” said Zulqarnain, who has retired from playing for Pakistan, adding, “I’ve applied for asylum and it all depends now on the Home Office.”
Meanwhile, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt would not confirm or deny Zulqarnain ’s claims that the board was withholding the cricketer’s wages. (ANI)
