Zulqarnain Haider has reiterated his retirement from international cricket after receiving death threats in Dubai.
Gloveman confirms retirement following death threats
Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has reiterated his retirement from international cricket after receiving death threats for refusing to fix one-day matches against South Africa.
The 24-year-old, speaking at a press conference held in London, described how fear for his own and his family's lives led to him fleeing Dubai for England and seeking asylum in the UK.
Haider also insisted he doesn't know if his team-mates or officials were offered money to throw matches in the Dubai series, but claimed his life and that of his family were threatened.
"I just felt very nervous that he gave me threats," Haider said. "I don't know who he was. I didn't meet before that person.
"He said, 'If you work with us, we will give you a lot of money. If you go back home, we will kill you and your family also."
Pressure
Pakistan officials reacted angrily to Haider's decision to leave the ongoing series against South Africa and have
suspended his contract.
But the wicketkeeper-batsman, who scored his maiden Test half-century against England during the summer, defended his decision not to inform officials.
"It was a crucial time for me, so I don't want to tell these things to my management," he said.
"If your family was threatened, you would think like me. At that time, I just had the pressure on me and I didn't want any problems for the Pakistan team or officials.
"I'm a cricket player. I want to be a good citizen, I want to live in peace."
Haider arrived in the UK on Monday and immediately claimed asylum in order to gain entry to the country.
He said: "This country is very humane, very co-operative, and there are very nice people here and there are very good rules here for my safety. That's why I came here."
Haider also confirmed he had met the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit on Tuesday night, saying: "I just want cricket to be clear of any fixing and all bad things.
"The ICC's doing well in these things."
