Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali has been provisionally suspended after his arrest by Greater Manchester Police in connection with an alleged rape case during the Pakistan A team’s tour to the United Kingdom, as per reports.
The 24-year-old batsman was held on August 3 in Canterbury, where the Pakistan Shaheens were playing against MCSAC, after police got a complaint of rape related to a woman of Pakistani origin. The incident reportedly happened on July 23 at a premises in Manchester.
Who is Haider Ali
Haider Ali is from Attock and joined Pakistan’s A-side, came into limelight in domestic cricket by scoring fifties on his T20I debut, and has also scored a double century in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy before his career took a dramatic turn. He has also earned his name through notable performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Charges on Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali
In a statement given to Reuters, Grand Manchester Police confirmed the arrest, stating, “After receiving a report on Monday, August 4, 2025, of a rape, we have arrested a 24-year-old man. The man had since been bailed pending further investigations. The victim is being supported by the officers.”
Sources have told IANS that Haider was ‘in tears’ when he was apprehended and has denied the allegation during the preliminary inquiry. His passport has been seized.
Pakistan Cricket Board statement
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has suspended the cricketer with immediate effect and has expressed its intention to allow the legal process to take place in the UK. “The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course,” the board mentioned in a statement. “Once the legal procedures are completed and all facts are established, the PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct.”
Haider was once considered a promising player, has represented Pakistan in 35 T20Is and two ODIs since making his debut in 2020. However, his career has been marked by earlier disciplinary issues, which included his suspension in 2021 for violating COVID-19 norms during the Pakistan Super League.
Before this incident, Haider was reportedly being considered for a comeback to the national side for an upcoming T20 tri-series in Sharjah under newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson.