Haider Ali acquitted of charges (Photo: Mark Metcalfe-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Haider Ali: Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali has been given a clean chit on rape charges. After getting the clean chit, PCB has also lifted the ban imposed on Haider Ali. This means that now he will be able to continue his cricket journey again. Haider Ali was accused of rape in Manchester in August this year, after which the Pakistan Cricket Board banned him from playing till the investigation was conducted. Haider Ali has not played any competitive cricket since September. But, now his name is included among those 9 Pakistani cricketers who have been allowed to play in the Bangladesh Premier League.
The allegation was made when he was on a tour of England with the PAK-A team.
Haider Ali, who played 35 T20 Internationals and 3 ODIs for Pakistan, was on a tour of England with the Pakistan Shaheen team (Pakistan A) when a UK-born Pakistani woman filed a rape allegation against him with the Manchester city police.
However, Manchester Police closed the case on September 25, saying that they did not find enough evidence to send the case to court or arrest the cricketer.
Ban lifted, cricket starts
Now after the investigation of the case is completely over, PCB has also lifted the ban imposed on Haider Ali. After the lifting of the ban by Pakistan Cricket Board, Haider Ali will be seen playing in Bangladesh Premier League for the first time. Along with him, PCB has given NOC to 9 players to play in BPL, which include names of players like Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Sahabzada Farhan, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Khawaja Nafe and Ehsanaullah.
However, PCB has refused to give NOC to batsman Umar Akmal who is out of Pakistan team. Akmal has sought clarification from the board regarding this.