Zulqarnain Haider Plans Return to Pakistan after Matchfixing Row despite Death Threats

After seeking asylum in Britain, having fled from Dubai, the former Pakistan wicket keeper hopes to resuscitate life into his cricket career by trying to stag ea comeback back into the country - Pakistan - first.

zulqarnain haider against sa

Zulqarnain Haider first shot to fame by helping Pakistan to win against South Africa in an ODI in DUbai. But his name truly hit international headlines after he fled Dubai in haste without informing the team management.

Haider's absence from the Pakistan team ahead of the ODI against South Africa sent shock waves. It was later revealed that Haider had given an inkling of his intentions when he posted a message on a social networking site and even suggested that his life was under threat from bookies who were forcing him into match fixing.

Haider's discovery at the Heathrow airport became an international embarrassment for Pakistan cricket board who chose to take a distant view of things rather than embroiling themselves with a player they felt should have spoken to the team management instead of taking matters into his own hands.

While Haider is grateful for his stay in England, apparently it is his hunger to play for Pakistan again, not to mention seeing his family, that has forced Haider to decide to go back to Pakistan, despite suggestions of his seeking political asylum in Britain. But it does not appear to be easy because it has been revealed that Haider has received fresh death threats in light of his latest decision.

It would seem that while Haider's case is still being debated in Pakistan cricket circles, the larger issue is still lost - that of not just establishing the veracity of his plea but also, in being able to give the cricketers the assurance of safety from such anti social elements that would undermine the sport.

One would have thought that the Pakistan Cricket Board would give Haider the benefit of the doubt for his revelations after three of their own cricketers - Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt - were tried by the ICC and banned over spot fixing.

Until the Haider mystery is solved one way or another, it would seem that the cricketer is on his own, particularly after the decision he made in Dubai without taking the team's confidence.