ICC offers to support PCB and Haider

November 10, 2010

The ICC has today confirmed that it is in regular communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board and has offered to support the PCB in its current investigations into the reasons behind wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s decision to leave the Pakistan team on the morning of the final ODI against South Africa in Dubai.

At the same time, the ICC has also offered Haider, who left the UAE for London, any help he needs. ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Clearly this is in the first instance a team matter for Pakistan cricket but the ICC is willing to provide assistance to the PCB and the player.

“We understand his plight if reports are indeed true, but we can only help if he is willing to engage with us.”

Haider, who played a match-winning knock of 19 not out to take his side to a victory against Proteas to level the series at 2-2 in the just concluded five match ODI series in Dubai, went missing from the team hotel on the morning of Pakistan’s fifth ODI against South Africa in Dubai and resurfaced in London later the same day.

He is planning to seek political asylum in Britain after fleeing from Dubai.

The 24-year-old told Pakistan TV station Geo that he plans to seek political asylum in Britain after confirming he had received death threats for defying match-fixing plans.