Pakistan's Zulqarnain Haider today quit international cricket 24 hours after he escaped to London claiming he had received death threats from match-fixers.
The wicketkeeper could seek political asylum in Britain, alleging he received threats before and after the fourth oneday international against South Africa last Friday, when he hit the winning runs.
Zulqarnain fled the team hotel in Dubai yesterday just hours before the fifth one-dayer and flew to London. The 24-year-old said: "I have decided it is best for me to retire from international cricket since my family and I are constantly getting threats."
Pakistan cricket has been dogged by match-fixing allegations and Zulqarnain said: "I received death threats to lose the fourth and fifth oneday internationals but I'd rather flee away than sell out the dignity and respect of my motherland.
"I was told to co-operate or I would face lot of problems. This person approached me while I had gone out of the hotel for dinner. He told me cooperate with us and you can make a lot of money. He said 'If you don't co-operate you will no longer be part of the team and we can make life very difficult for you'."
Zulqarnain spent almost four hours in talks with immigration authorities at Heathrow airport and could apply for political asylum. But he said: "I have not thought about this, I don't even have enough money to hire a lawyer. My only concern now is the security of my family in Lahore."
