A tall and lanky lad from Lahore, Zulqarnain Haider was called up as a replacement for then wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for a T20I against South Africa in 2007 but unfortunately Pakistan went on to lose that game by 10 runs and Haider could not contribute much. Haider played for the Pakistan Under-19 squad and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited in the Pakistan Domestic League.

Haider’s consistent performances and excellent glove work earned him a call-up to the national side as a replacement for Kamran Akmal who was dropped due to his poor keeping in 2010 against England. He was dismissed first ball in the first innings but made up in the second innings with a fighting and entertaining 88. His series was cut short due to a fractured figure that he suffered after being hit by a throw from Stuart Broad. He was later selected for Pakistan's home series against South Africa. He played his last ODI in that series before announcing his retirement before the fifth game in the series. Haider later withdrew his retirement in 2011 and resumed playing domestic cricket for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in the first-class arena.