Zulqarnain makes u-turn

Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has reversed his decision to retire from international cricket.

Pakistan wicketkeeper keen for international comeback

Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has reversed his decision to retire from international cricket. Zulqarnain, 25, fled Pakistan's team hotel in Dubai last November midway through a one-day series with South Africa and turned up in London, where he applied for asylum. He claimed to have received death threats for refusing to participate in match-fixing. However, Zulqarnain withdrew his asylum application in Britain and returned home to Lahore in April after being assured by Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik that he would be safe. "I have decided to take back my retirement decision in national interest and also because I want to revive my career," he said.

Different

"The situation is also different now from when I went to London. I want to play cricket again and now it is up to the cricket board to decide when to clear me." Soon after he arrived home, police arrested a gang of bookmakers in Sialkot believed to be behind the death threats. Zulqarnain, who has played one Test and four one-day internationals, has yet to meet with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials. The PCB terminated his central contract and held back match fees after his unscheduled exit from Dubai.