Haider Ali, the 24-year-old Pakistan batter, has been provisionally suspended by the PCB following criminal investigation in the UK: here's what we know so far.
PCB provisionally suspends Haider Ali
On Thursday evening, the PCB's social media channels announced that Haider Ali had been provisionally suspended, after the board was made aware of a criminal investigation currently being conducted by the Greater Manchester Police. According to the release, the incident occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens' recent tour of England.
The PCB also stated that it is providing legal support to Haider "to protect his rights throughout this process".
According to ESPNcricinfo, he isn't currently in custody in the UK and had been interviewed under caution by the Greater Manchester Police.
What is Haider Ali under investigation for?
While the PCB have not mentioned details of the incident, prominent media outlets have reported that it could be related to a case of rape registered by the local police. As per Reuters, the GMP were quoted as saying:
"After receiving a report on Monday 4 August 2025 of a rape, we have arrested a 24-year-old man. It's alleged that the incident occurred on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The victim is being supported by officers."
The same was reported by Associated Press, who added that "Police in Britain typically do not name suspects at this stage of an investigation".
PCB release on the Haider incident
Haider was part of the Shaheens group that played List A matches and a multi-day tour game against the First-Class Counties Select XI, as well as a tour game against the MCC Young Cricketers and South Asian Cricket Academy XI. Haider played five games in all on the tour in late July and early August, including a match a day before the incident allegedly occurred and another two days after it.
A part of the 2020 U19 World Cup squad, Haider graduated to play for the senior team later that year. He has played two ODIs and 35 T20Is. He featured in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and the 2023 Asian Games marked his last appearance so far.
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