LAHORE: Pakistan’s controversial stumper Zulqarnain Haider’s return to first-class cricket has been marked with controversy after he lashed out at some seniors including former captain Shahid Afridi and retired pacer Shoaib Akhtar for their comments on Pakistan cricket and PCB.

Haider, who has been playing in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, took a dig at Afridi and Akhtar, criticising them for giving statements after they retired from the national team.

“Now that they are retired and out of contention they are giving critical statements about Pakistan cricket, the board and our cricket culture. Why say all this now? Why not when they were playing?” said Haider.

“I just feel that once you have played for so long for your country and retired, you should be careful while giving such statements,” he added.

Haider took more pot shots at both Afridi and Akhtar, stating that unlike his seniors, he took a stand when he was playing for Pakistan and was at the beginning of his career.

“I gambled everything including my career. I am not like Afridi or Akhtar who are criticising the system now and everything else about Pakistan cricket after being done with their careers,” he said.

Reacting to Zulqarnain’s statements, the PCB said: “Players are not encouraged to give statements other than on their own performances and the match. I think the match and team officials have had a word with Zulqarnain over his statements,” a board official said.—Agencies