Pakistan cricket is once again in the spotlight for controversial reasons, as young cricketer Haider Ali has been arrested in England on allegations of rape. The 24-year-old batter, currently part of the Pakistan Shaheens’ squad on their tour of the United Kingdom, is facing serious charges following an incident that reportedly took place on July 23, 2025, in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that a 24-year-old man was arrested in connection with a rape report filed on Monday. The police statement noted that the alleged incident occurred at a premises in Manchester and that the suspect has been released on bail pending further investigation. British authorities typically do not release the names of suspects at this stage, but it has been confirmed that Haider Ali is the individual involved.
In response to the allegations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended Ali, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. A spokesperson for the PCB stated that the board is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and will conduct its own inquiry into the matter. The PCB also confirmed that they will provide Haider Ali with legal support during this process.
Haider Ali, who debuted for Pakistan in 2020, has played two One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 35 T20 Internationals (T20Is), scoring 505 runs with three fifties. He is also regarded as a talented first-class cricketer, averaging over 47 with 1,797 runs in 27 matches. However, he has yet to feature in Test cricket. Ali’s promising career has already faced setbacks, including a previous suspension for breaching COVID-19 protocols during the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
This latest incident casts a shadow over Ali’s career, reminding many of the 2010 spot-fixing scandal involving former Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif, who were jailed in England for their roles in fixing matches. The case serves as a reminder of the recurring controversies that have plagued Pakistan’s cricket history.
The Pakistan Shaheens’ UK tour, which ran from July 17 to August 6, included a series of matches, with the team drawing two three-day games and winning a 2-1 one-day series. With the investigation now ongoing, Haider Ali’s future in cricket remains uncertain.
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