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Zulqarnain Haider (cricketer)

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Zulqarnain Haider
Personal information
Full name
Zulqarnain Haider
Born (1986-04-23) 23 April 1986 (age 38)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper-batter
International information
National side
Only Test (cap 201)6 August 2010 v England
ODI debut (cap 179)29 October 2010 v South Africa
Last ODI5 November 2010 v South Africa
T20I debut (cap 15)3 February 2007 v South Africa
Last T20I27 October 2010 v South Africa
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 1 4 92 69
Runs scored 88 48 3,656 702
Batting average 44.00 24.00 30.21 16.32
100s/50s 0/1 0/0 3/20 0/2
Top score 88 19* 161 90
Catches/stumpings 2/0 1/1 279/9 76/18
Source: ESPN Cricinfo, 12 December 2013

Zulqarnain Haider (Urdu: ذولقرنین حیدر, born 23 April 1986) is a Pakistani former cricketer who has played for the national team. He had a very short international career and dramatically announced his retirement after a cameo innings of last wicket victory in the fourth ODI of the series against South Africa in 2010. He fled to London fearing threats from bookies.

Having played for Pakistan Under-19s, Zulqarnain was called up to the senior national side in 2010 as a cover for wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal during the tour of England. Zulqarnain made his Test debut during the tour, but a broken finger limited him to just one match. Later that year, he made his One Day International (ODI) debut against South Africa, against whom he has played all four of his ODIs to date. After the fourth match, Zulqarnain fled to London amid fears for his safety.

A right-handed batsman, Zulqarnain, has represented both Lahore Blues and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in Pakistani domestic cricket, and now plays for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.

Early and personal life

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Haider was born in the Pakistani city of Lahore. His mother died from cancer in 1998 when he was 12. He decided to donate half his match fee from his test debut to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre.[1] In August 2010, Haider's father, who was suffering from hepatitis C, slipped into a coma.[2]

International career

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With regular wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal suffering from a prolonged period of poor form in both his roles as wicketkeeper and batsman, Pakistan were searching for a backup. Zulqarnain was drafted into Pakistan's 17-man squad for the tour to South Africa in January 2007.[3] He made his Twenty20 International debut on the tour, assuming wicketkeeping duties from Akmal who acted as a specialist batsman. South Africa won by ten wickets, and Zulqarnain contributed just five runs to Pakistan's total of 129 all out.[4]

Zulqarnain had to wait more than three years for his next international match. In July 2010, Pakistan toured England for four Tests, five ODIs, and two T20Is; Haider was included in the touring squad. After a pair and several missed chances behind the stumps, Akmal was dropped in favour of Zulqarnain.[5] In the first match, Zulqarnain was dismissed off the first ball by fast bowler Stuart Broad, and nearly succumbed to his first ball in the second match. Initially, he was given out to spinner Graeme Swann, Zulqarnain then reviewed the decision and survived. He exploited the opportunity and made 88 runs before getting dismissed, and enthusiastically celebrated his half-century.[6] Days later, it was revealed that Haider had suffered a fractured finger that could have been exacerbated after being hit on the hand by a throw from Stuart Broad.[7] He played no further part in the series.[8] When Pakistan played South Africa in October 2010 for two T20Is and five ODIs, Zulqarnain was included in the 15-man squad as the only wicketkeeper.[9] In the first four ODIs, he took three catches and scored just 48  runs.[10]

Threats and international retirement

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On the morning of 8 November, before the fifth ODI against South Africa started, Zulqarnain left the team without permission. Later that day, he arrived in London. Zulqarnain decided to seek asylum in the United Kingdom,[11] a move which was not supported by Pakistan's government which insisted Zulqarnain should have turned to them first. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended Haider's contract. On 10 November, Haider announced his retirement from international cricket.[12] He explained that he had been asked to lose the fourth ODI on 4 November and that after hitting the winning runs he had received threats against his life and family.[13] In April 2011, Zulqarnain withdrew his application for asylum and returned to Pakistan after receiving assurances from Rehman Malik, Pakistan's interior minister, about his safety. Malik stated that Zulqarnain Haider would be given "full security".[14]

Return to cricket

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On 12 May 2011, Haider announced that he was withdrawing his retirement from international cricket.[15] The PCB set up a disciplinary committee, which imposed a fine of 500,000 rupees on Haider for breaching the team's code of conduct by going to London without permission. According to the PCB, Haider "had no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the board, and withdrew all his allegations".[16]

He was passed over for selection during Faysal Bank T20, but was included by Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited for the first-class season. He played his first match for the team on 6 October, taking three catches but failing to score a run in his single innings.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Haider donate's have his match fee for his mother". 12 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  2. ^ Hoult, Nick (8 August 2010). "England v Pakistan: Zulqarnain Haider keeps his emotions in check to halt onslaught". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. ^ Samiuddin, Osman (29 December 2006), Shoaib left out for South Africa tour, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  4. ^ itt14 tt515 South Africa v Pakistan: Pakistan in South Africa 2006/07 (Twenty20), CricketArchive, retrieved 18 October 2011
  5. ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj (5 August 2010), Kamran dropped for second Test, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  6. ^ Miller, Andrew; Gollapudi, Nagraj (8 August 2010), Haider's fine review and Broad's brattish streak, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  7. ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj (14 August 2010), Zulqarnain Haider suffers fractured finger, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  8. ^ "The Greatest: One Test Wonders". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  9. ^ Samiuddin, Osman (7 October 2010), Misbah returns, no captain named, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  10. ^ Records / Pakistan v South Africa ODI Series, 2010/11 / Most runs, ESPNcricinfo, retrieved 18 October 2011
  11. ^ "Greenidge's final frenzy". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  12. ^ Zulqarnain Haider says he wants to 'live in peace', BBC Sport, 10 November 2010, retrieved 20 October 2011
  13. ^ Pakistan cricketer arrives in UK after Dubai no-show, BBC News, 8 November 2010, retrieved 20 October 2011
  14. ^ Pakistan's Haider returns home after ending asylum bid, BBC Sport, 25 April 2011, retrieved 20 October 2011
  15. ^ Zulqarnain Haider makes Pakistan retirement U-turn, BBC Sport, 12 May 2011, retrieved 20 October 2011
  16. ^ Pakistan board fines Zulqarnain Haider, ESPNcricinfo, 17 June 2011, retrieved 20 October 2011
  17. ^ Zulqarnain Haider returns to first-class cricket, ESPNcricinfo, 7 October 2011, retrieved 20 October 2011
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