Karachi, May 12 (IANS) Zulqarnain Haider is hoping that an angry Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will forgive him for deserting the national team and will recall him for duty after the controversial wicketkeeper Thursday reversed his decision to retire from international cricket.
Haider fled to Britain last November just hours before Pakistan's One-day international against South Africa in UAE and later claimed that he ran for his life after being threatened by match-fixers.
Haider applied for political asylum in Britain and also decided to retire from international cricket during his stay there. But he was convinced to return home by Rehman Malik, Pakistan's interior minister, who also assured him of complete security.
He returned home and has now decided to come out of retirement to resurrect his career which got off to a fine start when Haider hit a gritty 88 on his debut against England in the Edgbaston Test last summer.
"I have decided to take back my retirement decision in national interest and also because I want to revive my career," Haider told reporters.
Haider, who is seeking a meeting with the PCB top brass, hoped that the Board will clear him for national duty.
"The situation is also different now from when I went to London," said Haider. "I want to play cricket again and now it is up to the cricket board to decide when to clear me."