Haider resurfaces in England
Wicketkeeper arrives in UK after vanishing hours before final one-day international in Dubai as S Africa beat Pakistan.
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| Haider, right, appeared to suggest on Facebook that he was worried about his safety after receiving threats [AFP] |
Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has arrived in England after mysteriously disappearing hours before the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai.
South Africa won the game, claiming a 3-2 victory in the five-match series, but the result was overshadowed by Haider’s disappearance.
Earlier, television pictures had shown the wicketkeeper arriving at Heathrow Airport in London.
In a message on his Facebook account, Haider appeared to suggest he was worried about his personal safety after receiving threats.
“Leaving Pakistan cricket because get bad messages for lose the match in last game,” he wrote.
His brother Reza told the Reuters news agency from Lahore that Haider had expressed fears after receiving the threatening messages.
“When I spoke to him the second-last time, he was enthusiastic. But the last time when I spoke to him he told me he was getting threatening messages after the fourth match,” said Reza before adding his family was in touch with Haider and concerned about his safety.
Earlier, Pakistan’s team management said the keeper was last seen at the team’s hotel in Dubai early in the morning.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Haider had not informed them he was planning to leave the hotel nor had he told them the reason for his sudden decision.
“A full inquiry will be held into the circumstances surrounding this incident and no further comment will be made until the facts are known,” the PCB said in a statement.
The 24-year-old had scored an unbeaten 19 and hit the winning runs when Pakistan levelled the five-match series 2-2 in the fourth one-dayer on Friday.
The PCB said Haider had asked Pakistan officials for his passport.
PCB legal adviser Tafazzul Rizvi told Reuters that Haider had breached his central contract.
Lahore police official Rana Faisal said they were investigating Haider’s disappearance.
Faisal said he had received no official complaint but, taking note of the media reports, had sent some officers to Haider’s house in Lahore to find out details.
S African victory
Back on the field, Jacques Kallis scored a half-century and took three wickets to inspire South Africa to a 57-run win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
South Africa reached 317-5, their highest total in the series, after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy also chipped in with half-centuries.
“I think all around it was our best performance,” captain Graeme Smith said.
“At crunch time, I was very proud with the free sprit we played with today … I think there are a lot of lessons learned and the reward was shown tonight.”