Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali has been cleared of rape charges in the United Kingdom, following an investigation that concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue the case. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the decision, which comes after Ali was initially arrested in early August at Kent’s Spitfire County Ground over allegations of sexual assault reported by a British-Pakistani woman.

The alleged incident reportedly took place in a Manchester hotel in mid-July, after Ali’s Pakistan Shaheens tour. The complainant stated they first met on July 23, and the report was officially submitted on August 4, following a meeting in Ashford on August 1. Ali maintained his innocence, cooperated fully with authorities, and remained in the UK throughout the investigation. He was initially released on bail.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Ali received full legal support to protect his rights in accordance with its player welfare and code of conduct policies. Criminal law attorney Barrister Moeen Khan represented Ali during the proceedings. After the charges were dropped, Ali was cleared to leave the UK and had already retrieved his passport from authorities.

Haider Ali has made 35 T20I appearances for Pakistan, most recently at the 2023 Asian Games in China, along with several ODI appearances. The PCB has not yet issued a separate statement regarding his situation.