Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali suspended after arrest in UK over alleged rape

Haider Ali, a rising star in Pakistan cricket, has been provisionally suspended after his arrest in Manchester over allegations of rape, sending fresh shockwaves through the country’s sporting community.

The alleged incident reportedly took place on July 23, during the Pakistan Shaheens' ongoing tour of the United Kingdom. Greater Manchester Police confirmed receiving a report of rape on August 4 and said that a 24-year-old man had been arrested.

“It’s alleged the incident occurred on July 23 at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries,” police said in a statement. In line with UK protocol, the suspect has not been officially named by British authorities at this stage.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the identity and announced immediate action. “We have suspended Haider until the investigation is completed and will conduct our own inquiry in the UK,” a PCB spokesperson stated. The board added that it would fully cooperate with the legal process while ensuring legal assistance for the player.

A once-promising career in turmoil

Haider Ali’s arrest is the latest in a string of controversies that have haunted Pakistan cricket over the years. Once considered a prodigy, Haider burst onto the international stage in 2020 with flair, scoring a half-century on T20I debut against England — in the same city where the current allegations have emerged.

Since then, he has played two One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 35 T20 Internationals, amassing 505 T20I runs, including three fifties. A solid performer in domestic cricket, he boasts an impressive first-class average of over 47 from 27 matches. Despite the promise, a Test debut never materialized.

His career has seen turbulence before — notably a suspension in 2021 for breaching Covid-19 protocols during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). His last appearance for Pakistan came during the Asian Games in Hangzhou in October 2023.

The Shaheens’ UK tour — which ran from July 17 to August 6 — included two three-day matches, both of which ended in draws, and a three-match one-day series, which Pakistan won 2–1.