ICC offers support to PCB and Zulqarnain

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that it is in regular communication with the Pakistan Cricket Board and has offered to support the PCB in its current investigations into the reasons behind wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider?s decision to leave the Pakistan team on the morning of the final ODI against South Africa in Dubai.

At the same time, the ICC has also offered Haider, who left the UAE for London, any help he needs.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: ?Clearly this is in the first instance a team matter for Pakistan cricket but the ICC is willing to provide assistance to the PCB and the player.

?We understand his plight if reports are indeed true, but we can only help if he is willing to engage with us.?

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 a Pakistan media 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.

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