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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Pakistani cricketer receiving death threats

The wicketkeeper, 24, landed in Heathrow airport earlier today. Haider disappeared hours before the start of his side's deciding one-day international against South Africa in Dubai. after posting a message on his Facebook page. His status update read: "leaving pakistan cricket because get bad msg fr 1 man fr lose the match in last game." Team officials reported Haider as missing to police and also to the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit. Manager Intikhab Alam would not comment on the reasons for the keeper's disappearance, but confirmed: "Haider did not come with the team to the ground and we are looking for him." Captain Shahid Afridi said at the toss: "He's resting, we're still trying to find him. Security is trying to trace him." Pakistani TV reported that it received a text message from Haider in which he said he was leaving for England in the next two hours and that his family would be provided with security back in Pakistan. Reports this morning had suggested that Haider had received a threatening message after Pakistan did not lose the fourth one day international. Haider hit the winning runs on that occasion. The cricketers disappearance and reemergence in England is the latest setback for a Pakistan team that has been troubled by matters off the pitch. Haider and two other players were fined for breaking a curfew during the team's series with South Africa. In August, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were accused of involvement in an alleged betting scandal during a Test match in England.