Zulqarnain announces retirement from intl cricket

Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who mysteriously disappeared from Dubai and went to UK, has announced retirement from the international cricket, adding that the decision to this effect has been taken in the wake of the intimidations, Dunya News reported on Tuesday. He said that he is writing to the Pakistan Cricket Board in this regard.He said that he was receiving threats from an unknown person and thus he decided to leave Dubai immediately and went to London where he is seeking an asylum. He said: It is best to retire from international cricket since my family and I are constantly getting threats. On the other hand, Dubai police said that they could not initiate probe on media reports, adding that PCB has not filed any report in this regard. PCB announced Adnan Akmals enlisting in the cricket team for Test matches replacing Haider. It merits to mention that it would be the third time for three Akmal brothers to play in national team. Here is the profile of wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider: Zulqarnain Haider (born 23 April 1986 in Karachi) is a former Pakistan under 19 wicketkeeper and Former 2nd Hand Wicketkeeper for Pakistan, who played for the Pakistan national cricket team. He is generally regarded as being the reserve keeper to Kamran Akmal. The right-hander represents both Lahore Blues and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in Pakistani domestic cricket. Haider made his debut for Pakistan in a Twenty20 match against South Africa in 2007 he scored 5 runs as Pakistan succumbed to a heavy defeat. After this match Kamran Akmal recovered and took back the gloves. Akmal was dumped in the 2008 Asia Cup but his place was given to another wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed after the tournament Akmal regained his form and was reselected. Akmal then participated on the tour of England in the first test he dropped a total of seventeen catches. He was dumped for the second test and Zulqarnain Haider returned to the Pakistan side three-years after he played his first match of the team. Haider next got his chance to play for Pakistan in October 2010 against South Africa when Kamran Akmal was out because of an appendicitis operation. Haider left the team in Dubai after receiving threatening messages against himself and his family from unknown source. He phoned his brother and a television journalist in Pakistan, alleging he received a threat after the close-fought 4th ODI match against South Africa.