The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended famous Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali as Greater Manchester Police investigate him in connection with a rape allegation during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent UK tour.
The PCB did not disclose specific details about the inquiry into the 24-year-old cricketer.
Ali has denied the allegation during the Pakistan Shaheens’ tour, stating that he and the woman were friends and that their encounter was consensual. After his arrest at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground in Kent, he was taken to Canterbury Police Station but was not handcuffed during the process.
Greater Manchester Police told The Associated Press that they received a rape report on Monday and arrested a 24-year-old man.
Police said the alleged incident took place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at a Manchester location. They have since released the man on bail while continuing their investigation.
Mohammad Faiq replaces Haider Ali for the upcoming Top End T20 Series in Australia (August 14–24). The selectors also dropped left-arm pacer Salman Mirza from the senior Pakistan squad for the West Indies T20I series and called up Mohammad Wasim Jr. instead.
Haider Ali, 24, has played two ODIs and 35 T20 internationals since his debut in 2020. In 2021, the Pakistan Cricket Board suspended him for breaching COVID-19 protocols during the Pakistan Super League. Despite this, new white-ball coach Mike Hesson considered him a key player ahead of the tri-series.
