On Monday, August 4, Pakistan’s Haider Ali was arrested in Beckenham due to rape allegations. Pakistan Shaheens were a part of a tour match in England, which started on August 3. Soon, Haider was released on bail.
During the match, the 24-year-old was out after just one run in the first innings, while the Shaheens went on to make 385/8 before declaring. In response, the MCC Young Cricketers and South Asian Cricket Academy XI declared at 278. The third innings of the tour match was also declared after Pakistan put up 196/2. The match, however, ended in a draw.
After the players from the West Indies and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Haider is the third player with allegations of rape surrounding him.
An ESPNcricinfo report shared the details of the bail and the police statement after the bail.
“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,” a statement from Greater Manchester Police confirmed to ESPNcricinfo.
Haider was arrested in Beckenham when Pakistan Shaheens were playing their last game of the five-match tour. However, the rape reportedly took place in Manchester on July 23, after the first match on July 22.
While the Shaheens will continue their stay in the UK, the remainder of the squad has departed for Australia to participate in a multi-nation T20 series.
Haider has represented Pakistan in two ODIs and 35 T20Is. He first caught attention during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020, delivering explosive performances for Peshawar Zalmi. He had racked up 239 runs at a strike rate of 157+. That breakout season earned him a spot in the national squad. He made an impressive T20I debut later that year in Manchester, scoring a 54 off 33 balls to help Pakistan edge out a five-run win. Two months later, in November 2020, he also made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe.
Since then, consistency has troubled him. He’s often drifted in and out of the national side. This tour with the Shaheens could’ve been a breakthrough for Haider, had he not been involved in such a serious allegation.
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As per UK law, the offence of rape carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
On Thursday, August 8, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released their statement. However, they have also stated that they will not issue further public comments until the legal process has concluded.
“The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course. Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Once the legal proceedings are concluded and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary,” the PCB statement read.
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