Another series and here comes another controversy. This times its something never witnessed before. Zulqarnain Haider, Pakistani wicket-keeper, reportedly missing from the team's hotel room this morning when the team was about to leave for stadium for their final ODI against South Africa. Local authorities stated:"Haider left the team hotel on Monday morning without informing any member of the team or management". Haider left a message for the nation on his facebook page "leaving pakistan (Pakistan) cricket because get (received) bad msg (threatening message) fr (from) 1 man fr(to) lose the match in last game."
By now my readers must have known that I am not the greatest fan of Pakistani media or any other media, else, my blog would have been full of anti-Zulqarnain act. Some journalist calling it a silly and a childish move while others calling it a coward act.
"It has been pretty difficult task for me to understand if it was a coward act or a wise move to escape quietly without getting noticed"
The most surprising element of the entire story has been the wicket-keeper's eagerness to convey his message to entire nation via facebook but reluctant to inform team management. If his intentions were wrong or he was coward (according to some ex-cricketers and media) than why did he try to clarify his position - via facebook? It would have been easier and safer to quietly inform his team manager and requested for a safe exit. This lack of confidence in the team management indicates me some serious issues pertaining to Cricket Pakistan.
How Zulqarnain managed to get his passport back? According to my knowledge, all the players must deposit their passport to team manager. For some odd reasons Zulqarnain took his passport back last night; And the team manager, who fined 3 players (including Zulqarnain) for breaking the curfew by 5 minutes, surprisingly had no issue in giving back the passport to one of the player!
Evidently, Cricket Pakistan is not in the safe hands. And this latest incident hints me the involvement of mafia not only in the Pakistan Cricket but also in world cricket. Certainly, some board officials and maybe some ICC officials are involved in making the game dirty.
Its premature to jump to the conclusion but the way things are developing at this stage, I reckon Zulqarnain's great escape seems to be a wise move. However, one should wait and see what happens next.
nice one mr.asad .. ur making Pakistanis proud ..
ReplyDeleteZulqarnain Haider is to blame massively for not only not entrusting his team management but the Dubai security authorities as well. He even sms-ed the whole media :(
ReplyDeleteThe passport given is something regular since player may need it for a no. of reasons a/c to some tour management guy.
Its a farce in every way i looked at it and see nothing wise in it....
(Somebody should tell him abt twitter since those msgs more appropriate for that)
Thanks guys for your appreciation! It really means alot.
ReplyDeleteI was quite happy this morning when I read the newspaper that 3 players were fined for breaking the curfew by 5 minutes. If the management is so strict and theres no leniency than how can a passport is handed over to the player without any inquiry.
Secondly, even I am trying to highlight this point that Zulqarnain didn't feel safe to entrust team management. It seems that there is an element of self interest of the team management thats why they are trying to keep Zulqarnain away from international cricket!
Seem to remember Shahid Afridi stating how he missed Kamran Akmal on GEO after 3rd ODI :(. If its something to do with self interest then ZH is a coward(why did he miss test 3 v ENG/latest episode)
ReplyDeleteAs far as the passport thing goes,the players are not kids man.Need it for stuff in the foreign land. as far as fine goes all juniors were involved but a good move none the less.
His actions casts doubts on Team Mgmt in particular and players in general which is a sad thing after all that happened and how well Pakistan competed this series
good piece of work asad.. keep the good work going..:)
ReplyDeletea reserve keeper who has an extremely decorated career spanning 4-ODI's; 2-T20's; 1-Test.......went to london for Political Asylum!!!
ReplyDeletefor some reason this whole things seems a well fabricated conspiracy!!