Pakistani 24-year-old Haider Ali Arrested In UK, Suspicion of Rape, Released on Bail: Greater Manchester Police
He was in the UK with the Pakistan Shaheens squad — the second-tier national team — which was involved in a five-match series The supposed incident is said to have occurred on July 23, a week between two of those games in Manchester.
In a statement sent to ESPNcricinfo, police confirmed the arrest:
A 24-year-old man has been arrested after we received a report on Monday 4 August 2025 of a rape. The alleged offence took place on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at the Manchester premises. The man has since been bailed while further enquiries are made. Officers are also supporting the victim’
So, get this: Haider plays in every match of the tour, and then, right after the final game in Beckenham, he’s arrested. And we’re not talking about a minor charge—if he’s convicted of this, he could get life in prison in the UK.
Of course, the Pakistan Cricket Board immediately suspended him. Their spokesperson put out a statement that basically said, “We know what’s happening, but we’re staying out of it. It’s up to the lawyers and courts now.”
READ | PCB advises England cricketers to seek legal advice”No criminal proceedings are being undertaken by the PCB against players who will be charged at some point, nor are any formal charges presently pending. “We have made sure that Haider Ali receives proper legal advice.
Allrounder Mohammad Faiq has replaced Haider in the squad now, and was to join the team on its way to Australia for a multi-team T20 series.
Haider, who once looked to be one of the brightest new T20 prospects for Pakistan, played his first match in international colours in 2020 at Manchester, where he scored a terrific 54 off 33 balls. A young batting talent, he’d caught the eye with a few Josh Hazlewood—like jabs in the early weeks of the Pakistan Super League for Peshawar Zalmi, scoring 239 runs that season at a strike rate of 157, a clear sign of intent.
Even so, his international career has had its ups and downs. He has 2 ODIs and 35 T20Is under his belt but repetitive inconsistency has resulted in him only being in and around the national setup. The tour of the Shaheens was seen as a default opportunity to reintegrate him, not least with Pakistan moving towards a more attacking philosophy in their batting.
Now that future is unclear. The PCB said it would not be making any further comments until legal processes are concluded. Haider remains in the UK.
