Islamabad : Runaway wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider today backed
Pakistan's fight against corruption after bookmakers confessed to making the
death threats which prompted him to spend months in self-exile. Haider hoped
steps taken by the International Cricket (ICC),
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and
Pakistan's government would curb match and spot-fixing, and said he supported
the efforts even if it damaged his career. "I am satisfied that the ongoing
fight against corruption in cricket will bear positive results," Haider, 25,
told AFP by telephone. "I put my career on line and still don't bother if it
continues to suffer." Haider returned to Pakistan Monday, after fleeing an
international one-day series in United Arab Emirates last November because of
death threats, and seeking political asylum in Britain. On Wednesday, Pakistan
police said bookmakers among eight arrested in the city of Sialkot had admitted
threatening Haider. The wicketkeeper, who is still awaiting security clearance
to return to his home city of Lahore, said the arrests have given him more
confidence. "The kind of confidence given to me by the government has brought me
back and I am happy that they are taking serious steps," said Haider. "The image
of Pakistan cricket has been badly hurt by match-fixing and this continues to
haunt it after every few months, but now I hope that with the serious steps and
actions a time will come when our cricket becomes clean." Pakistan cricket has
been rocked by fixing controversies since 1995 when Australian players Shane
Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged then captain Salim Malik offered them
bribes to underperform during a tour to Pakistan. Last year Pakistan's tour of
England was marred by a sensational spot-fixing scandal, ending in lengthy bans
for three of their key players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.
"Pakistan cricket needs to get respect which it will get," said Haider. The
wicketkeeper, who earlier announced his retirement from international cricket,
said he would soon clarify his position with the PCB.AFP 