Zulqarnain likely to seek asylum in UK

LONDON:Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who announced retirement from
international cricket on Tuesday, may seek political asylum in the UK.A day after he fled the team hotel in Dubai and travelled to London claiming he was received threats from match-fixers, he said: “I have decided it is best for me to retire from international cricket since my family and I are constantly getting threats. It is best I leave international cricket.”The 24-year-old reportedly received threatening messages following his part in Pakistan’s victoryin the fourth one-day international against South Africa, in which he made 19 not out and hit the winning run.
He then failed to report for duty at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with reports claiming he had made his way to Britain. In an interview reported to have been given from a hotel at Heathrow, Haider told a news channel: “I received death threats to lose the fourth and fifth one-day internationals against South Africa, but I could not compromise the dignity of my country.I would rather flee away than sell out the dignity and respect of my motherland.”He added: “I can assure you that I am safe and sound. I’m not arrested but I cannot tell where I am hiding for the sake of protection of my life.”It is likely that he would apply to get political asylum in the UK. Immigration officials in the UKwere kind to me and offered me the chance to use the services of a counsellor but I am yet to reach a decision.