Zulqarnain Haider announces retirement
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Karachi: The brief international career of Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider came to an abrupt end today after he announced his retirement following death threats for refusing to fix matches.
The 24-year-old, who fled to London midway through a series against South Africa in the UAE, had made his Test debut just three months ago against England.
Haider told the 'Geo News' channel from London that he had taken the decision to retire since there was lot of pressure on him and he was getting threats from the people, who had wanted him to fix matches in the just concluded one-day series against South Africa in the UAE.
"My family is also still getting threats. I have decided to retire because there is lot of pressure on me and I can't take it," he added.
In the only Test of his career, Haider had scored 88 runs at an average of 44.
His ODI career comprised just four matches and he made 48 runs at an average of 24 in the format. In the three Twenty20 Internationals that he played, Haider scored 23 runs at an average of 7.
Haider left the team hotel in Dubai yesterday under mysterious circumstances and flew to London with the Pakistan Cricket Board later announcing it would be holding an inquiry into the whole matter.
"I will be sending a letter to the PCB to inform them about my decision to retire," he said.
Haider also confirmed that the person who approached him to fix matches had met him outside the team hotel and that he got a feeling that there were others with him.
"You will get lot of money if you cooperate with us but if you don't cooperate with us you wouldn't remain in the team and there will lot of problems for them."
Asked about reports that he was planning to take political asylum in the United Kingdom, Haider declined to comment.
"I think you should speak to the immigration authorities about this but I have decided nothing as yet."
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