Zulqarnain Haider wants assets of cricketers to be checked by the Government

Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider, wants the government of Pakistan to keep close tabs on the income of cricketers to make sure there is no foul play in their earnings.
While talking to media men in Pakistan he said, “Assets of the cricketers [in Pakistan] should be examined every year and the income tax department can play a vital role in this regard.” Haider accused certain cricketers of having 15 different houses in a country where the majority of the people are living below the poverty line. The former runaway cricketer reckoned that the people of the country need to take such steps that will help decrease the difference between the rich and poor.
Haider declined to name any players of being involved in match-fixing as he clarified that since the government authorities were already investigating the matter, it would be inappropriate for him to reveal the names at this point in time.
This week the law enforcement agencies arrested eight bookies, from the city of Sialkot, who had made threatening phone calls to Haider. According to investigators, the eight bookies have links with international gamblers and efforts are underway to arrest them with the help of Interpol.
According to Haider, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and the ICC (International Cricket Council) are investigating the existence of corruption in the sport and the culprits will soon be unmasked. He urged cricketers from other countries to rally behind those who want to eradicate the menace of match and spot-fixing from cricket.
The renegade wicketkeeper stressed that if he had not fled to the United Kingdom, no action would have been taken to stamp out corruption from the game. According to him, he sacrificed his career to cleanse the game from corrupt practices.
He also revealed that he had given vital information regarding match-fixing to the Interior Minister of Pakistan, Rehman Malik. However, he did not disclose the nature of the information. Haider returned to Pakistan on April 25, from self-exile for nearly six months in England after he was assured highest security by the Interior Minister of Pakistan.
Last year, Haider shocked the cricket world by deserting his national team which was playing a One-Day series against South Africa in the deserts of the United Arab Emirates. The wicketkeeper fled to the United Kingdom and revealed that his life was under threat from bookies who wanted him to lose the fourth and fifth One Day International against the Proteas.
He immediately announced his retirement from international cricket and pledged to live in England with peace, away from cricket. However, he rattled everyone by stating that he will soon disclose the names of corrupt individuals in cricket. He retracted from his statement after his family in Pakistan received threat calls.

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PAKISTAN POLICE ARRESTS BOOKIES BEHIND THREATS TO ZULQARNAIN HAIDER

Pakistan police has arrested eight bookies, who were believed to be behind death threats to wicketkeeper-batsman Zulqarnain Haider. The bookmakers were taken in custody from Sialkot and four of them have also been presented before a local judge for initial investigations.

A police official, Nasir Qureshi, stated, “We have arrested eight bookies and some of them have revealed they were behind threats to Haider. We have confiscated their data which has a number of international contacts and the investigation is still on.”

Qureshi further added, “We have found a number of satellite telephones and diaries which have international contacts and we hope to get further details in the next 24 hours.”

Haider had fled to London during Pakistan’s series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The keeper-batsman had claimed that his life was in danger and had to leave the team immediately. He was due to represent his team in the final One Day International (ODI) of the five-match series, but escaped without informing any teammates or officials.

There was a lot of uncertainty in the Pakistan dressing room, as no one was aware of Haider’s whereabouts. However, the 25-year-old appeared before the media after landing in London, where he claimed asylum. He revealed the situation to the press and said that his family was also in danger in Pakistan.

The Pakistan government took notice of the situation and assured complete security to Haider and his family. This was satisfactory for the troubled keeper, as he decided to return to his country on Monday, April 25, 2011. He had announced retirement from international cricket, but claimed to resume talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over his future.

After his return to Pakistan, Haider revealed that he received fresh life threats. He also accused fellow teammate, Kamran Akmal’s father-in-law of being involved in the entire situation, which sparked more controversy.

This allegation was a shock for Akmal and his family and the veteran keeper demanded thorough investigation into the matter. He expressed his displeasure over the scenario and threatened to take legal action against Haider, who apparently had no proof of what he said

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ZULQARNAIN HAIDER EAGER TO GET BACK IN INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman, Zulqarnain Haider, has admitted missing international cricket. He announced retirement from the sport after receiving life threats from unknown people in Pakistan. However, he has shown intentions of making a comeback to the national side after Pakistan police arrested eight bookies from Sialkot, allegedly behind the threat calls to Haider.

The troubled keeper stated, “My cricket has already suffered a lot and I miss playing. I had worked very hard to get into the national side and I don’t know why I was targeted by the bookmakers. But I think the stance I took against corruption is equally important as playing for Pakistan.”

Commenting on his hardships, Haider added, “I started playing cricket in a shadow of crisis. Aged 13, I lost my mother but still managed to continue playing cricket. I never knew that things would turn out this way. I hope that with serious steps, a time will come when our cricket will become clean”

Haider was ready to clear things with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He was well aware about his bad image in the board and country, but wanted to speak to everyone for normalising things.

Although the keeper batsman made his intentions clear to everyone, Chief Selector of PCB, Mohsin Hasan Khan revealed that Haider would only be considered for selection once cleared by the board.

The Pakistan cricket team has suffered a lot in the recent past and 2010 was a year of controversies for the Men in Green. Three top players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended from any form of cricket following spot-fixing allegations. The trio was later found guilty and banned from playing.

Just when things looked to be heading towards a right direction, Haider fled to London, claiming his life was under threat. Pakistan were left without any wicket-keeper for the final game of the five-match One Day International (ODI) series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The youngster then claimed asylum in UK, as he didn’t feel safe back home. He also wanted his family to be with him, as they were also receiving threat calls. However, the government of Pakistan guaranteed security to Haider and brought him back to Pakistan.

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ZULQARNAIN HAIDER TO FACE THE MUSIC ON HIS RETURN SAYS PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD

In a latest development regarding the runaway wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider, it has been learned that he might return to Pakistan on April 24^th 2011. According to reports, Haider will be facing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) disciplinary committee who will then decide his fate.

Haider has however, clarified that his passport is with the British authorities and until the travelling documents are returned, moving back to his country will not be possible.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the former player met up with the interior minister of Pakistan, Rehman Malik at the latter’s house in London, where he expressed the desire to return to the country and resume his cricket career. Haider also requested Malik to provide security to him and his family. It is believed that after the meeting with Malik, Haider finally made a decision to go back to Pakistan.

However, the lanky wicketkeeper has violated rules and regulations of the PCB and getting off the hook will not be an easy task. According to insiders, Haider will be up against PCB’s disciplinary and inquiry committee before getting clearance to resume his career.

The wicketkeeper, who has applied for asylum in the United Kingdom and is currently living there on a temporary residence permit, has not responded to the show-cause notice that was slapped by the PCB for his actions.

Haider in November 2010 became a matter of embarrassment for the PCB when he deserted his national team, which was in the United Arab Emirates playing a five-match One Day series against South Africa. Haider disappeared right before the fifth and final match of the tournament. The team management was clueless about his whereabouts, and it was only after the match that the UAE authorities informed that Pakistan’s wicketkeeper had boarded a United Kingdom bound flight.

After landing in London, Haider disclosed that he had received life threats from an unknown suspected bookmaker, who wanted him to lose the fourth and fifth match against the Proteas. Haider refused to comply and instead to opted to run for his life. Without revealing any names, he accused certain players within the team of having links with bookies. In his first press conference he announced his retirement from international cricket and expressed the wish to live peacefully in England.

However, later through his Facebook profile, the rogue cricketer pledged to announce the names of the individuals in the PCB that were involved in match-fixing. Nonetheless, he retracted his statement soon after fearing for his family’s security in Pakistan.

The PCB also terminated his central contract and has not cleared the money that the board owes him for representing Pakistan in the matches he played. Haider, threatened to sue the PCB for holding his payment, however, he never pursued a case against the country’s cricket board.

What made Haider finally decide to return home is still unclear, but now it seems as if within the coming days, the Haider saga will finally come to its conclusion - that is if he does indeed return to Pakistan

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DEFEAT NAMIBIA – ICC CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

The United Arab Emirates beat Namibia by five wickets, thanks to a brilliant 100-run partnership between Saqib Ali and Khurram Khan to win the ICC Cricket League Division Two Trophy 2011, played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Earlier Namibia won the toss, elected to bat first and posted 200 when they were all out in 49.3 overs. The only solid partnership was witnessed for the third wicket between Sarel Burger and Captain Craig Williamswhich contributed 91-runs. Williams was their top scorer with 58-runs followed by Burger who scored 42-runs.

UAE’s Saqib Ali and Nasir Aziz grabbed three wickets each, Shadeep Silva took two wickets as Ahmed Razahad a single wicket.

The UAE got an early shock when they lost two quick wickets with only 14-runs on the board. Opener Arshad Ali and the middle-order batsman Saqib Ali put their heads down, took the responsibility on their shoulders and started crafting the innings. They posted a fifty runs partnership for the third wicket in the 19^th over and worked the ball in the gaps. They could not continue further as Arshad was caught by Burger on the bowling ofLouis Klazinga with the total on 72 runs.

A lot was expected from the seasoned batsman Shaiman Anwar, but he disappointed all as he was caught and bowled by Kola on a duck with the addition of just one run to the total. Khurram Khan, the Captain of the UAE came to the crease and steadied the innings with Saqib and achieved the hundred of the innings in the 28^thover. Both started playing aggressive cricket and Saqib completed his fifty in the 31^st over supported with seven fours as Khurram kept on securing the other end while stealing runs as well. 

They laid a solid foundation by escalating a century partnership for the fifth wicket as Williams used eight bowlers to dislodge them. Khurram also completed his fifty in the 41^st over, as his half century included six fours. The partnership was broken on 173 runs when Saqib was declared leg before wicket off Klazinga. He gave a stand out performance by scoring 73 runs off 116 balls aided with 10 fours.

Khurram took over from there and thrashed the winning runs, as he remained unbeaten on 60 runs. Amjad Javed played a dashing and unbeaten innings of 20 runs in 12 balls with a six and two fours.

Klazinga and Kola Burger took two wickets each as Sarel Burger claimed a wicket as well.

The UAE achieved 201 runs in 45.3 overs for the loss of five wickets and won the ICC World Cricket League Division Two, 2011.

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UAE DEFEAT HONG KONG BY 19 RUNS - ICC CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

The United Arab Emirates defeated Hong Kong by 19 runs despite a heroic innings played by Hong Kong batsman Mark Chapman. Both teams appeared in the ICC Cricket League Division Two, List ‘A’ match, played at ICC Global Academy, Dubai on 11 April, 2011.

Earlier the UAE won the toss and utilised the opportunity of batting first. They put together 227 runs in 50 overs for the loss of nine wickets. The first wicket was lost at 22 runs, as they consolidated the innings with little partnerships and put a fighting total on board. Amjad Ali was the main scorer with 69 runs as Saqib Aliplayed a solid knock in the middle and contributed 68 runs.

Hong Kong bowler Najeeb Amar was the highest wicket taker with four, Irfan Ahmed took two wickets asNizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan and Mark Chapman claimed a wicket each.

Hong Kong made a disastrous start as they lost their first wicket at the score of just two runs. UAE pacer Shadeep Silva was unplayable in his initial spell and ripped through the first three batsmen when the score board reflected just 39 runs.

Chapman took charge at one end but felt helpless as no other batsman was ready to give him support at the other end. The batsmen were on a slide, as the fifth wicket sunk with a total of 52 runs in 16.6 overs whenIrfan Ahmed joined at the crease. Both put their heads down, steadied the ship and posted 100 runs on board in 28 overs to get past the fifty runs partnership in the next over.

Chapman was playing a magnificent knock and registered his fifty in 64 balls assisted with a six and 4 fours. Irfan was solid as rock at the other end by giving admirable support to his partner and punished the loose balls as well. The pair had a hefty partnership of 96 runs before Irfan went back to the pavilion and the sixth wicket fell with the total of 148 runs as he shared an important 36 runs.

Captain Najeeb Amar was the next batsman in and tried to cement one end as the runs were flowing from the bat of Chapman, but was unlucky to be run out on a well constructed innings of 81 runs off 89 balls with 2 sixes and 7 fours. The seventh wicket was dismantled at the total of 172 runs in 38.6 overs. Najeeb did not last long and with the addition of just six runs in the total, he was bowled at 15 runs.

The ninth wicket partnership between Aizaz and Nadeem Ahmed produced 25 runs as the wicket was lost at 203 runs. The last pair of Nadeem and Adil Mahmood strived hard but fell short of 19 runs as Nadeem was the last batsman to go back at 208 runs.

Silva was the most successful bowler of the UAE, who grabbed four wickets, Arshad Ali claimed two wickets asMohammad Tauqir and Saqib shared a wicket each.

The UAE won another close encounter by 19 runs, as they previously beat Namibia by one wicket on 8 April.

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