Haider Back on Twitter To Threaten Legal Action for "Character Assassination"; Battle On

His cricket career may be over by his choice although the Pakistan Cricket Board reacted belatedly to leave him out of their plans. But that has not stopped Zulqarnain Haider or the PCB from having a go at each other. And it would seem it is less likely to end in a hurry.

zulqarnain haider against sa 1

Haider is livid at the suggestions of the committee appointed by the cricket board that allegedly suggested that he was on a "weak" mind and an individual who could be easily influenced into believing what he was told.

Haider was the Pakistan wicket keeper when he left Dubai for London without informing the Pakistan team management ahead of the fifth ODI against South Africa. He did so by informing the world at large that a bookie was after him and that he had refused to bow under pressure and threat to his family back home in Pakistan.

However, the move did not endear him to the board which has refused to accord him sympathy or protection but rather is in a vengeful mood over his actions that have painted Pakistan cricket and the board in a dark light, particularly at a time when Pakistan cricket is reeling from isolation and match fixing allegations with three Pakistan cricketers suspended.

Haider is in anguish over the fact that the report casts a doubt on the real reason why the Pakistan wicket keeper really ran away from Dubai and raises many questions over his depositions before the media even as Haider spoke to Scotland Yard after consultation with the ICC.

Now, Haider is taking the Pakistan reaction more seriously, even suggesting that he may sue the PCB for what he terms as character assassination. At twenty-four years of age, Haider is certainly in a spot wherein he has no support of the board but rather is having to fight the board, assuming that he is the victim of circumstances here wherein the bookies and the board have both, taken a harsh view of things. It is still unclear about the political asylum status for Haider, but it is clear that there is a battle being wages, even if it is only in the public eye from one person's perspective.

This is what Haider posted on his social networking page:

By declaring me a weak and nervous person and questioning my state of mind the fact finding committee has indulged in my character assassination and I reserve the right to take legal action against the board. I also want a copy of the report of the committee.

Incidentally one of Pakistan cricket's chief grouse against Haider was that he was more forthcoming on his social networking account about his whereabouts and the reasons for it while leaving the Pakistan cricket to figure things out on their own in Dubai.