Haider Ali Suspended by PCB Amid Ongoing UK Police Probe
Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali has been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following his involvement in a criminal investigation in the United Kingdom. The 24-year-old batter is being investigated by Greater Manchester Police, although the specific nature of the allegations remains undisclosed.
According to sources within the PCB, Haider was interviewed under caution during the Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England. He was not detained and has since returned to Pakistan. The board was officially notified of the situation by UK authorities and took swift action by suspending Haider from all forms of cricket pending further developments.
PCB Reacts Quickly, Offers Legal Backing
In a statement released Thursday, the PCB emphasized its intent to cooperate fully with the UK’s legal process while safeguarding the player’s legal rights.
“The PCB fully respects the legal procedures of the United Kingdom and will allow the investigation to run its course,” the board said.
“Haider Ali has been placed under provisional suspension, effective immediately. We are providing him with legal support to ensure his rights are protected throughout this process.”
The board clarified that any potential disciplinary action under its own Code of Conduct will only be determined once the UK legal process concludes and the facts are verified.
Incident Reportedly Occurred During UK Tour
The alleged incident is believed to have occurred during the Shaheens’ recently concluded tour of England, where Haider was a key figure in the squad. He featured prominently, appearing in all three List A matches against a First-Class Counties XI and also participating in two three-day fixtures.
While the details remain under wraps, the timing of the suspension points clearly to something that transpired during the tour.
From Rising Star to Uncertainty
Haider Ali’s suspension adds another chapter to what has become an increasingly turbulent career. Once seen as a future mainstay in Pakistan’s batting lineup, Haider emerged from the 2020 U19 World Cup as a bright prospect. He went on to earn caps in both ODIs and T20Is for the national side, notching up 35 T20 appearances.
However, inconsistency and discipline-related concerns have slowed his momentum in recent years, relegating him largely to domestic circuits and Pakistan A-level cricket.
Now, with legal uncertainty clouding his immediate future, Haider’s career hangs in the balance. If the investigation leads to formal charges or sanctions, he could become yet another cautionary tale in Pakistan’s long list of unfulfilled cricketing talents.
