Pakistan’s young batter Haider Ali is set to be freed from rape allegations in the UK after police found no concrete evidence to charge him, PCB sources confirmed with Telecom Asia Sport.
Greater Manchester Police, who had arrested Haider on August 3, will not be pressing charges after investigators concluded that the case lacked sufficient proof. His passport, that was taken back after his first bail period ended, is also expected to be returned, paving the way for his return to Pakistan.
Telecom Asia Sport had Broken the Arrest Story
Telecom Asia Sport was the first to report Haider’s arrest at the Canterbury ground on August 3, where he was playing for Pakistan Shaheens. The cricketer, 24, was taken into custody following a rape complaint but was released on bail the following day. That bail was later extended until September 4.
Details Weaken the Case
According to sources, the alleged victim had herself booked the hotel room under her name, where she and Haider met for lunch. This pointed to a consensual meeting. Additionally, the complainant’s delay in filing the case further weakened the charges.
It became clear that there wasn’t enough to establish a legal case.
A PCB source revealed Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that the lack of evidence made it impossible to proceed to trial.
PCB’s Response and Next Steps
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had immediately suspended Haider after the allegations surfaced but extended legal support through Pakistan’s High Commission in London. With the case dropped, Haider is now expected to fly home. The PCB, however, is likely to conduct its own internal inquiry once the 24-year-old returns.
Career Under a Cloud
Haider has represented Pakistan in 2 ODIs and 35 T20Is, the last of which was at the Asian Games in 2023. Once hailed as a promising top-order talent, his career has stuttered in recent years. This case—though dropped—has further stalled his international prospects, with selectors likely to take a cautious view before reintegrating him.