Haider Ali Suspended by PCB Amid Criminal Investigation
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put a temporary suspension on 24-year-old cricketer Haider Ali as he faces a criminal investigation in England. The Greater Manchester Police are probing an allegation linked to an incident that occurred on July 23 during the Pakistan Shaheens’ tour in England. Haider was arrested on August 3 while participating in a match, but was released on bail afterward, with his passport confiscated.
In response to the situation, the PCB has acted quickly, suspending Haider and providing him with legal support while adhering to UK laws. The board indicated that the next steps will depend on the investigation’s outcome and a clearer understanding of the facts will be crucial in determining further actions.
“The PCB is aware of a criminal investigation by the Greater Manchester Police involving Haider Ali, which relates to an incident during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England,” a PCB statement confirmed.
A Look at Haider Ali’s Career
Haider Ali, born in October 2000 in Attock, is known as a promising right-handed batsman for Pakistan, especially in limited-overs formats. He made his T20I debut against England in Manchester in 2020, followed by his ODI debut against Zimbabwe later that year.
Throughout his 35 T20I matches, Haider has amassed 505 runs, including three half-centuries, averaging 17.41 with a strike rate of 124.69. In ODIs, he has played just two matches, scoring 42 runs with an average of 21.
Haider also served as the vice-captain for Pakistan in the 2020 ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa, where he was the team’s third-highest run-scorer, scoring 107 runs over five matches with a highest score of 56.
In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he has played for Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Islamabad United. Across 49 PSL games, he has scored 846 runs at an average of 21.69, including four half-centuries. He was also part of Pakistan’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, appearing in two matches with a total of two runs.
The PCB continues to monitor the situation as the investigation unfolds.
