PCB to question Umar in Haider case

The PCB disciplinary committee will question batsman Umar Akmal and some other players apart from the members of the team management, when it begins its inquiry into the Zulqarnain Haider case. 

The Board has formed a three-member committee to find out the reasons that led to Haider fleeing the team hotel in Dubai last November without informing anyone. 

The committee will be headed by Sultan Rana, who is head of the PCB domestic cricket operations. 

Rana is tasked with the responsibility of finding out whether there is credence to claims by Haider that he fled the team hotel because an unknown person threatened him of dire consequences for refusing to co-operate in fixing the one-day series against South Africa in the UAE last year. 

Haider had sought asylum in London on security grounds but returned home last month after getting assurances from the interior minister Rehman Malik that he would be safe and secure in Pakistan. 

Haider in his reply to the notice sent to him by the Board had blamed Umar Akmal for harassing him and causing him mental stress during the series in the UAE. 

"Yes, the committee will also question Umar Akmal and some other players because the allegations made by Haider are serious ones," a PCB official said. 

The Board official said that until the committee reached a verdict, the keeper would remain suspended and his central contract also stood cancelled. 

"The committee will hold its first hearing probably in the first week of June as Colonel Waseem Ahmed - one of the members, is presently accompanying the team in England as security manager," he said. 

"The committee will question the manager, coach and also some players with reference to the case as it has to reach a conclusion whether there was a valid reason for Haider to have violated the code of conduct by fleeing the team hotel during a series," the official added. 

He also confirmed that so far no official request had been received from the wicketkeeper for release of his match fees and other allowances which were held back by the board. 

He said the Board also had no information whether the department that used to employ Haider would give him a job again.