Former Pakistani wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider represented Pakistan through the various age categories including the national team at the under 15 level. He was part of Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup winning side in 2004. While the lanky cricketer from Lahore made his international debut against South Africa in 2007, he made the headlines in 2010 after fleeing the Pakistan team hotel in UAE overnight and sought asylum in the UK.

Haider revealed that he fled the team as he was being threatened and asked to under-perform. Later, he said that Umar Akmal had warned him of dire consequences if he didn’t underperform. It must be mentioned here that Haider had been called to the side in place of Umar’s elder brother, Kamran Akmal, following a string of poor performances including a large number of dropped catches. Haider has maintained that he communicated the threats to the PCB management which failed to take action against either of the Akmal brothers. The episode ended Haider’s international career although he returned to Pakistan a year later.

Meanwhile, the Akmal brothers stayed part of the team although with their performances dropping, they were later replaced. Umer Akmal has played 10 ODIs since the 2015 World Cup. However, the flamboyant albeit inconsistent batter was a popular choice at T20 leagues around the world.

Most recently, Umar was banned from cricket for 18 months - later reduced to a year - for failing to report approaches for spot-fixing. He was also fined Rs4.5 million. At the time of Akmal’s ban in 2020, Haider had called for a lifetime ban.

Following his return to Pakistan in 2011, Haider resumed domestic cricket but never made it back to the national team. He recently played in the Oman Cricket League. During the tournament, he caught a stomach bug. The 36-year-old underwent surgery in Lahore upon his return. He is unable to continue strenuous work and is unable to continue treatment due to financial constraints.

Haider, who has three children, told a local news channel that he might not be able to play cricket again. His daughter said that the PCB should hire the former national team player.

After hearing of Haider’s situation, Umer Akmal along with his wife paid a visit to the ailing cricketer.

Akmal said that he had forgotten about the problems that the two had in the past while assuring Haider of being available round the clock in case he needs anything.

“I watched Zulqarnain Haider’s video, I was very grieved. I came here as a human being and a cricketer, may Allah Almighty not bring such a time on anyone,” he said.

Nadeem Khan, the director of the PCB’s National High-Performance Center (NHPC), and Junaid Zia, the general manager of domestic cricket, had earlier visited the ailing cricketer at his house and given him a cheque to pay his hospital bills. They also promised to support him in the future.