Zulqarnain Haider
Encyclopedia
Zulqarnain Haider is Pakistani cricketer who has played for his national team. Having played for Pakistan Under-19s
, Haider was called up to the senior national side in 2010 as cover for wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal during their tour of England. Haider made his Test
debut during the tour, but a broken finger limited him to 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 Haider fled to London amid fears for his safety. A right-handed batsman, Haider has represented both Lahore Blues
and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in Pakistani domestic cricket, and now plays for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.
. In August 2010, Haider's father, who was suffering from hepatitis C
, slipped into a coma.
suffering from a prolonged period of poor form in both his roles as 'keeper and batsman, Pakistan were searching for backup. As a result, Haider was drafted into Pakistan's 17-man squad to tour South Africa in January 2007. He made his Twenty20 International
debut on the tour, assuming 'keeping duties from Akmal who acted as a specialist batsman. South Africa won by ten wickets, and Haider contributed five runs to Pakistan's total of 129 all out.
Haider's 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 Haider. In the first innings Haider was dismissed first ball by fast bowler Stuart Broad
, and nearly succumbed to his first ball in the second innings. Initially given out to spinner Graeme Swann
, Haider reviewed the decision
and was reprieved. Haider exploited the opportunity and made 88 before he was dismissed, and enthusiastically celebrated his half-century. 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. He played no further part in the series. When Pakistan played South Africa in October 2010 for two T20Is and five ODIs, Haider was included in the 15-man squad as the only specialist wicket-keeper. In the first four ODIs Haider took three catches and scored 48 runs.
(PCB) suspended Haider's contract. On 10 November, Haider announced his retirement from international cricket. 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. In April 2011, Haider 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 Haider would be given "full security".
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.
Pakistan Under-19 cricket team
Pakistan Under-19 cricket team are twice Cricket World Champions at the under-19 level. Their second win made them the first and to date only back to back champions.-Pakistan U-19 Squad:* Azeem Ghumman* Sarmad Bhatti...
, Haider was called up to the senior national side in 2010 as cover for wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal during their tour of England. Haider made his Test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
debut during the tour, but a broken finger limited him to 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 Haider fled to London amid fears for his safety. A right-handed batsman, Haider has represented both Lahore Blues
Lahore cricket teams
Lahore Lions compete in the Pakistani first-class cricket tournament's the RBS Twenty-20 Cup and Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. Due to the strength of cricket in the state of Punjab they have fielded more than one Lahore team in the annual tournaments....
and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in Pakistani domestic cricket, and now plays for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd.
Early and personal life
Haider was born in the Pakistani city of Lahore. His mother died from cancer in 1998 when he was 12. He decided that he would donate half his match fee from his test debut to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research CentreShaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre is a state-of-the-art cancer centre located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is a project of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust, which is a charitable organization established under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 of Pakistan....
. In August 2010, Haider's father, who was suffering from hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus . The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years...
, slipped into a coma.
International career
With regular wicket-keeper Kamran AkmalKamran Akmal
Kamran Akmal is a Pakistani cricketer who has played Tests, ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan as a wicket-keeper.- International career :He is a quick-scoring batsman and a wicket-keeper, who has achieved 6 centuries in Test innings...
suffering from a prolonged period of poor form in both his roles as 'keeper and batsman, Pakistan were searching for backup. As a result, Haider was drafted into Pakistan's 17-man squad to tour South Africa in January 2007. He made his Twenty20 International
Twenty20 International
A Twenty20 International is a form of cricket which is played over 20 overs per side between two national cricket teams. The game is played under the rules of Twenty20 cricket...
debut on the tour, assuming 'keeping duties from Akmal who acted as a specialist batsman. South Africa won by ten wickets, and Haider contributed five runs to Pakistan's total of 129 all out.
Haider's 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
Pakistani cricket team in England in 2010
The Pakistan cricket team toured England from 29 July to 22 September 2010. The tour consisted of four Tests, two Twenty20s and five One Day Internationals .-1st Test:-2nd Test:-3rd Test:-4th Test:...
; Haider was included in the touring squad. After a pair and several missed chances behind the stumps, Akmal was dropped in favour of Haider. In the first innings Haider was dismissed first ball by fast bowler Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad
Stuart Christopher John Broad is a cricketer who plays Test and One Day International cricket for England and is currently the captain of their Twenty20 team...
, and nearly succumbed to his first ball in the second innings. Initially given out to spinner Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann
Graeme Peter Swann is an English international cricketer. He is primarily a right-arm offspinner, and also bats right-handed. After initially playing for his home county Northamptonshire, for whom he made his debut in 1997, he moved to Nottinghamshire in 2005. He often fields at slip...
, Haider reviewed the decision
Umpire Decision Review System
The Umpire Decision Review System is a new technology based system currently being used on an experimental basis in the sport of cricket. The system was first introduced in Test Cricket for the sole purpose of reviewing the controversial decisions made by the on-field umpires in the case of a...
and was reprieved. Haider exploited the opportunity and made 88 before he was dismissed, and enthusiastically celebrated his half-century. 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. He played no further part in the series. When Pakistan played South Africa in October 2010 for two T20Is and five ODIs, Haider was included in the 15-man squad as the only specialist wicket-keeper. In the first four ODIs Haider took three catches and scored 48 runs.
Threats and international retirement
On the morning of 8 November, before the fifth ODI against South Africa started, Haider left the team without permission. Later that day he arrived in London. Haider decided to seek asylum in the United Kingdom, a move which was not supported by the Pakistan's government which insisted Haider should have turned to them first. The Pakistan Cricket BoardPakistan Cricket Board
The Pakistan Cricket Board is a sporting organization that is responsible for governing all professional cricket including Test cricket and One Day International matches played in Pakistan...
(PCB) suspended Haider's contract. On 10 November, Haider announced his retirement from international cricket. 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. In April 2011, Haider withdrew his application for asylum and returned to Pakistan after receiving assurances from Rehman Malik
Rehman Malik
27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he...
, Pakistan's interior minister
Ministry of Interior (Pakistan)
The Ministry of the Interior is Pakistan's ministry of the interior. Its head office is in Islamabad.The Interior Minister of Pakistan heads the Ministry of Interior. He serves in the cabinet of the Prime Minister. The Minister is required to be a member of Parliament...
, about his safety. Malik stated that Haider would be given "full security".
Return to cricket
On 12 May 2011, Haider announced that he was withdrawing his retirement from international cricket. The PCB set up a disciplinary committee, the result of which was imposing a fine of 500,000 rupees 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".He was passed over for selection during Faysal Bank T20
Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup 2011–12
The Faysal Bank Twenty-20 Cup 2011-12 is the 9th edition of the domestic Twenty-20 Cup in Pakistan, sponsored by Faysal Bank Limited. The tournament has to start from the last week of September in Lahore but due to dengue fever it is shifted to Karachi.Three games will be played per day during the...
, 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.