PCB suspends Haider Ali during UK police investigation

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally suspended cricketer Haider Ali after Greater Manchester Police in the United Kingdom (UK) launched a criminal investigation involving him.

According to the PCB, the case relates to an undisclosed incident that took place during Pakistan Shaheens’ recent tour of England.

The board said Haider was provided with legal assistance to protect his rights, in line with its policy of ensuring player welfare and legal protection. However, it stressed the need to respect the UK’s legal process.

“The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course,” the board said in a statement.

It added that the 24-year-old has been placed under provisional suspension with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the investigation. The board will take further action if required under its Code of Conduct once the legal process is complete.

The PCB also confirmed it would not make any further comments until the matter is resolved.

Haider, who made his Pakistan debut in 2020, has played two ODIs and 35 T20Is, scoring 547 runs across formats with three half-centuries. He was part of Pakistan’s squads for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022.