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| Right-handed batter Haider Ali speaks during an interview at Kent County Cricket Ground. — Screengrab via Facebook/@PakistanCricketBoard/File |
Haider Ali Cleared as UK Police Officially Close Rape Investigation
Haider Ali Cleared of UK Rape
Charges as Police Close Case for Lack of Evidence
Pakistan international Haider Ali
has been cleared after Greater Manchester Police dropped a rape investigation
due to insufficient evidence. He's now free to return home and resume his
cricket career.
Right-handed batter Haider Ali speaks during an
interview at Kent County Cricket Ground. — Screengrab via
Facebook/@PakistanCricketBoard/FileLONDON: Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali has
been exonerated in an alleged rape case after Greater Manchester Police found
insufficient evidence to...
A wave of relief washed over Pakistan's cricketing world
this week when Haider Ali, the 24-year-old national cricketer, was
officially cleared in an alleged rape case. Greater Manchester Police
and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed they had dropped the
case due to insufficient evidence to proceed, allowing Ali to reclaim
his passport and resume international travel. The Times of IndiaThe News International
Ali had been arrested in early August after a
British-Pakistani woman accused him of sexual assault. The allegation was made
following two purported meetings—one at a Manchester hotel on July 23, 2025,
and another in Ashford on August 1. The Times of IndiaNDTV SportsGeo News He was apprehended
at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground in Kent and taken to a nearby station by
Kent Police. NDTV SportsGeo News
Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) placed
Ali under provisional suspension, emphasizing support for due legal process.
The board pledged transparency and legal assistance as the case unfolded,
consistent with its code of conduct protocols. IndiatimesThe Times of India
Represented by acclaimed criminal lawyer Barrister Moeen
Khan, Ali cooperated fully with investigators. Throughout the proceedings,
he vehemently denied the allegations, stating the complainant was a personal
acquaintance and that the claims “came as a shock.” India TodayGeo News
With the police closing the case, Ali has already retrieved his passport. Sources confirm he is now free to return to Pakistan at his discretion. Geo NewsGeo SuperThe Times of India
A Career Moments Away from
Derailment
Since debuting in 2020, Haider Ali has played in 35 T20
Internationals and 2 ODIs for Pakistan. Known for his aggressive
middle-order batting, he remains a prominent figure in white-ball cricket. His
absence posed a significant interruption in Pakistan’s plans, particularly as
selectors weigh reintegration based on both performance and public sentiment. IndiatimesIndia Today
The case overshadowed recent highlights in Ali’s career, including domestic league performances and crucial assignments in Pakistan’s developmental “Shaheens” squads. Now, with the investigation behind him, Ali and PCB face key decisions regarding his return to the national setup. IndiatimesIndia Today
Pursuing Both Justice and Reputation
Though exonerated, Haider Ali now navigates a landscape that
may still hold shadows of suspicion. The PCB has not issued a statement
detailing post-clearance steps, but similar precedents suggest internal reviews
before players resume active duty. IndiatimesGeo News
For Ali himself, the emotional toll and public scrutiny were no doubt immense. Now, he steps into an uncertain terrain where rebuilding trust—both with fans and institutions—is as vital as reclaiming his form on the field.