Pakistan cricket has once again been rocked by scandal, with young cricketer Haider Ali in deep legal trouble in the United Kingdom. The 24-year-old, who is touring with Pakistan's 'A' side — Pakistan Shaheens — was arrested by Greater Manchester Police on August 3 at the Beckenham ground while playing a match against MCSAC.
The arrest was made after a complaint was lodged by a girl for alleged rape. Telecom Asia Sports announced that the player has been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
"It's reportedly a rape case against a girl of Pakistani origin," a source was cited as saying in the report.
The authorities have allegedly taken Haider's passport, although he has been released on bail. The PCB has assured that it will abide by the investigation fully and extend legal assistance to Haider, along with suspending him until the issue is resolved.
"We were informed of this case and investigation. We suspended Haider until the investigation was over and we shall pursue our own investigation in the UK," a PCB spokesperson informed telecomasia.net.
Sources indicated that Haider "was crying after he was arrested from the ground and pleaded not guilty during the investigation.
The Pakistan Shaheens toured the UK from July 17 to August 6, playing two three-day matches — both of which ended in draws — and a three-match One-day series, which they won 2-1. The majority of the players flew back home on Wednesday, with captain Saud Shakeel, who stayed behind in Dubai for personal reasons, and Haider, who stayed back in the UK as the case is still under hearing.
Haider, who is the young exciting talent, has played two ODIs and 35 T20 international matches for Pakistan, his last appearance in the 2022 Asian Games. Haider was also a member of the 2020 Under-19 World Cup side for South Africa, where India's Yashasvi Jaiswal also became prominent.
This is not the first time Haider has been disciplined. In 2021, he was suspended by the PCB for breaching Covid-19 guidelines in the Pakistan Super League in Abu Dhabi, and he was subsequently withdrawn from the touring squads in England and the West Indies that year.
A sources also pointed out that Haider had been in favor with newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson and was on the verge of being picked for the T20 tri-series in Sharjah this month.
Pakistan cricket has also had its share of high-profile controversies due to player behavior in the past. In 2010, former Test captain Salman Butt, and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, was convicted of spot-fixing during the England tour. All three were sent to prison and banned from sport for five years.
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