Promising Pakistani batter Haider Ali is facing a major setback in his cricket career after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) provisionally suspended him amid an ongoing criminal investigation in the United Kingdom.
According to reports, the 24-year-old was questioned under caution by Greater Manchester Police during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England. While details of the alleged offence have not been made public, PCB officials confirmed Haider has since returned to Pakistan and is not in police custody.
The PCB said it was formally informed by UK authorities and acted immediately to remove Haider from all cricket-related activities while the matter is under investigation.
In an official statement, the board noted:
“The PCB fully respects the legal process of the United Kingdom and will allow the investigation to run its course. Haider Ali has been placed under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the inquiry. We are providing him with legal assistance to ensure his rights are protected.”
The alleged incident is believed to have taken place during the Shaheens’ UK tour, which concluded earlier this week. Haider, one of the senior players in the squad, played in all three 50-over matches against a First-Class Counties XI and both three-day games.
Haider Ali’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Emerging from Pakistan’s 2020 U19 World Cup squad, he quickly made the jump to the national team, earning caps in two ODIs and 35 T20Is. However, his form and opportunities have fluctuated in recent years, with most of his recent appearances coming at the domestic and Pakistan A level.
The PCB has made it clear that any disciplinary action will depend on the outcome of the UK investigation. Until then, Haider’s future in cricket hangs in the balance — a sobering reminder of how quickly a promising career can stall.
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