Pakistan stumper Zulqarnain Haider retires post death threat

London/Karachi : A day after disappearing from Dubai, Pakistan’s stumper Zulqarnain Haider, who appeared in a hotel at Heathrow airport in London, on Tuesday announced his retirement from international cricket.

Haider told Geo News that he will be writing to Pakistan Cricket Board (PBC) and announce his retirement officially.

The Pak stumper said he was forced to leave the national cricket side to uphold the dignity of his motherland.

The wicketkeeper alleged that he was receiving life threats after his match-winning performance in 4th ODI against South Africa.

He said he also received SMS on him mobile phone directing him to fix 5th ODI or face dire consequence.

Haidar claimed that all these factors forced his to leave the national cricket team in Dubai on Monday and run for life.

He did not name any of his team mates behind the threats. ?I was forced to starving after demise of my mother so I can again face such tough situation,? he apprehended while talking to some reporters.

Haider said Pakistan is his dear motherland and he could never sell out her dignity.

?I can assure you that I am safe and sound, not arrested but cannot tell where I am hiding for sake of protection of my life,? Haider said refusing to give location of his whereabouts, Geo News quoted him as saying.

The Immigration officials in UK provided him necessary help and assured to hire services of a counselor if situation warranted him, he said.

He said his family too had received threats so he wanted his family to join him in London soon.

Zulqarnain also appealed to government for provision of protection to his family back in Pakistan.