Runaway Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who created a flutter last year by abandoning his team midway through a series citing death threats by match—fixers, returned home from London amid tight security.
The 24—year—old landed back in the country after being in hiding in London since November last when he fled from Dubai midway through a series against South Africa, claiming death threats from match—fixers.
He returned only after being assured of his and his family’s safety by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
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While in London, he announced his retirement from international cricket before applying for asylum, an application he withdrew a few days ago.
Hours before boarding the flight to Islamabad, Haider released an audio recording in which he was being threatened and warned against returning to Pakistan.
In the audio clip aired by ‘Geo News’, an unidentified person is heard threatening the keeper in Punjabi and using abusive language.
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Haider boarded a PIA flight from the Heathrow airport Sunday night just days after claiming that he had got two fresh death threats from a caller in Pakistan and was postponing his plans to return home.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has said Haider, who made a successful Test debut last year in England, will have to appear before its disciplinary and integrity committees.
Haider will have to respond to a showcause notice issued to him last year asking him to explain why he left the team hotel without informing the management.