Pakistan cricketer Zulqarnain Haider has confirmed that he has decided to apply for asylum in the United Kingdom
Pakistan cricketer Zulqarnain Haider has confirmed that he has decided to apply for asylum in the United Kingdom
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The Guardian reported that Haider (24) met officials from the UK Border Agency yesterday morning for a meeting about his application. "I had my first interview today over the asylum request I have made with UK authorities," Haider was quoted as saying by the newspaper. "They asked me routine questions during the interview. The next date for my interview is 10 December. Today's interview was the first part of a process where my application would be considered."
Haider also revealed to CNN why he had to run away from the Pakistan team before they played their fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Dubai. "I just felt that if I told anyone about the threat - senior players, my manager, the cricket board - maybe if they are involved in the situation they too will be in trouble.
"I listened to people in Pakistan who talked about the match-fixing; they said that a lot of people are involved and I felt threatened and very disappointed.
"I know I can't believe anyone. If you got threatened then you would not believe people either. If I told anyone they may have contact with these people, so this could cause a problem for my family in Pakistan and also me in Dubai." Haider said he was not worried about the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to suspend his contract.
"I played cricket in the right way, and when you are on the right way God helps you all the time. I am not worried about the central contract, because no one gives you food, only God gives you food."
Meanwhile, Zulqarnain has been branded "weak" by his country's sports minister.
Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani insisted the Pakistan government will not support Haider's asylum application in the UK, and hit out at the 24-year-old for damaging Pakistan's image.
"We don't support his actions and believe he should have come to us if he was under threat from anyone. He didn't have confidence in the national team management or (Pakistan Cricket Board),"
said Jakhrani.
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