London: Pakistan cricket has had its fair share of controversies over the years, be it ball-tampering or match-fixing. A fresh scandal has now rocked the country as one of its cricketers was arrested in England over allegations of rape.
Haider Ali, 24, who was in England as part of the Pakistan A (also called Pakistan Shaheens) squad, was taken into police custody at Beckenham, where the visitors were playing the last of their five games.
The middle-order batter, who played 2 ODIs and 35 T20 Internationals for the senior national team, was subsequently granted bail pending investigation. Haider, whose passport has been seized by police, has been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Haider played a solitary match against India – in the T20 World Cup in October 2022. Batting at No. 6, he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya for 2, as India snatched a last-ball win.
The alleged incident of rape took place in Manchester on July 23.
“After receiving a report on 4th August of a rape, we arrested a 24-year-old man. It’s alleged that the incident occurred on 23rd July at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The victim is being supported by officers,” ESPNcricinfo reported citing a statement from Greater Manchester Police.
According to reports, the victim is a girl of Pakistani origin.
The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK.
Pakistan Shaheens’ UK tour, from July 17 to August 6, featured two drawn three-day matches and a 2-1 one-day series win. Haider played all five games, including the first two on July 22 and 25, between which the incident he was arrested for is alleged to have occurred in Manchester.
Except for Haider and Saud Shakeel, most players have returned to Pakistan.
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