Pakistan player goes missing

[Cousin Jed]

Just when you thought Pakistan cricket had everything this happens

Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has gone missing ahead of the deciding ODI against South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The PCB has begun an inquiry into the matter and has informed the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit as well as local security officials of Haider's disappearance...

...

A cryptic message left as a status update on the player's Facebook page said: "leaving pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game." The last match that his Facebook status seems to refer to is the fourth ODI of the series, another closely-fought thriller, in which Haider's unbeaten 19 took Pakistan to victory with one wicket and one ball to spare.

 

[ioppolo]

Pakistan cricket has everything right now...

So pretty much another match fixing matter I'm guessing (referring to 'fr 1 man fr lose the match')

 

[BACCS]

This should be good.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

"leaving pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game."

Police have reported they wont be searching schools.

 

[alfy!]

Gee whiz, all is not well in the Pakistani cricket ranks.

 

[Plugger35]

Must have done the wrong thing by the bookies, probably gone into hiding or sleeping with the fishes.

Have to feel sorry for some of the legit Pakistan players that are getting caught up in all the corruption going on in Pakistan cricket at the moment. They are in a no win situation really.

 

[brock sylvia]

Its fairly bad taste to make a joke of this situation or to criticise this guy for doing what he has done. Everyone on this forum including me do not understand the kind of threats that can be made and different people's personal situations.

I hope cricket can rid itself of this ugly hold outside forces have on the game as this kind of thing is not pleasant to hear no matter which country they are from

 

[BarneyBent]

"leaving pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game."

Police have reported they wont be searching schools.

How well do you speak Urdu?

Anyway, it's a pretty weird situation. Pakistan cricket is like a bloody soap opera. Sounds like a bookie wasn't happy he didn't throw the game.

 

[HSSB]

Sh*t this is weird, I hope he is okay.

Pakistani Cricket is screwed.

Just ban them especially if anything eventuates of this situation

 

[stmookeyj]

Now this is getting a bit scary.....

 

[Radical Roo]

He is kidnapped and being tortured to death somewhere dark.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

How well do you speak Urdu?

Anyway, it's a pretty weird situation. Pakistan cricket is like a bloody soap opera. Sounds like a bookie wasn't happy he didn't throw the game.

What's this about my hairdo?

Seriously hope he is okay, pretty messed up in the Pakistan camp at the moment and you'd imagine it could get much worse before it gets better.

 

[krisholio14]

Sounds like he's just done a runner.

 

[Northern_Swan]

Sky Sports News (UK) have been reporting on their bulletin that he has arrived at Heathrow Airport, London. Obviously did a runner

 

[Surkin]

It disappoints me when young Amir gets his contract torn up. We have no idea of the pressures he is under or the threats made to him or his family. Let's hope it is a short ban because he is the most exciting prospect in world cricket right at this minute.

 

[Selective Retention]

If he has shown up in London, it could be nothing more than opportunism and trying his luck for asylum.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

One of my wife's friend's, sister's husband's brother (got all that?) was a u/19 cricketer for Pakistan. I've heard stories of large sums of money (equivalent to a years salary) being paid to junior selectors to ensure certain players are, or (IMO even worse) are not picked, even at the lowest of levels.

There's apparently an extreme culture of entitlement based around heritage (and presumably wealth), and the game is seen as a way of manipulating future wealth attainment. One (now relatively succesful) Pakistan player had his position "bought" most of the way through junior levels.

In relevance to going missing, there have been rumours for a while that some of the players have been "coerced" into joining the match-fixing pacts from (real or perceived) threat of their families suffering (indeed that's why this person left Pakistan in the first place) either from kidnapping/murder/rape/etc, or simply through having opportunities in life closed off to them (ostracized by their community).

Australia, by comparison is a relatively "clean" system.

 

[PrideOf]

Bob Woolmer didn't do a runner and that ended well for him, didn't it?

Smart move by this bloke to get his ass out of there.

 

[dan warna]

Pakistan needs to be kicked out of cricket now.

its a bloody disgrace.

 

[lemmon]

Has apparently announced his retirement and is seeking protection in London. Sounds like a bloke who turned down some match fixers for mine, highlights the dangers some of these cricketers face when a guy with a few international games under his belt is facing obviously credible threats.

 

[Bomber Bears]

Which is why it's easy to just say oh ban those players, but there is a myriad of other issues surrounding match fixing. These obviously include the very serious issues of threats towards players, but also that the PCB has no real solid way of making income. Security issues mean they cant host games in their country, making revenue streams difficult. Therefore their players are not paid all that much (central contracts were only about 3 grand Australian a month or something) in comparrison to those from other countries. Then there are political issues that see Pakistani's not being signed to IPL contracts whilst those from other countries are, taking away another potential money stream for the players.

It's a difficult issue to solve due to how many different factors are behind it.

 

[BACCS]

This nation does not deserve to play cricket, seriously. It is just too dangerous for them.

 

[Reincarnation]

Considering the sub-continent hides behind religion they have an awful lot to answer for...

In other news the ICC are still gathering evidence and do not believe the player is involved or was approached...he is simply going to London for a holiday.

 

[ioppolo]

They better have a shitload of evidence supporting that theory.

 

[jackster83]

Sad that a career ended before it really started.

Perhaps the Pakistan cricket team should do what Andy Flower and Henry Olonga did a few years back and say enough is enough. Can't see things improving all the while Ijaz Butt is still hogging oxygen. The players could make a considerably better income from playing IPL and domestic cricket in Australia or England.