Haider Ali Not Alone! 2 Pakistani Cricketers Who Were Also Accused Of Rape In The Past

Pakistan cricket finds itself embroiled in yet another controversy after young batter Haider Ali was arrested in England on rape allegations during the Pakistan Shaheens' recent tour of the United Kingdom.

The 24-year-old, a member of the 'A' team, has been provisionally suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pending the outcome of investigations.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they had received a rape complaint earlier this week. "We have arrested a 24-year-old man," a GMP spokesperson said. "It's alleged that the incident occurred on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries." Sources revealed Haider's passport was seized before his release on bail. The PCB stressed that it would cooperate fully with the legal process while also offering Haider legal assistance.

Haider's case is not the first time a Pakistani cricketer has faced such allegations. In 2021, spinner Yasir Shah was named in an FIR in Islamabad, accused of allegedly aiding in the rape and harassment of a 14-year-old girl. The complaint claimed coercion and threats, but Yasir's name was removed from the FIR in early 2022 after the complainant withdrew the allegations. Islamabad police later said his inclusion had resulted from "misrepresentation."

Even Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar once found himself caught in the shadow of a sexual assault case. In 2020, Akhtar revealed that during Pakistan's tour of Australia in 2005, he was accused of rape due to "a misunderstanding" between a girl and another player. "I was accused of rape then. There was some other boy from the Pakistan team, who had a misunderstanding with a girl. Pakistan team management hid the boy's doing," Akhtar recalled in a Helo live chat.

"I asked board don't reveal the boy's name, just announce that Shoaib was not there. When that case happened, everyone suspected me." The PCB eventually issued a statement clearing him of any involvement, calling the reports "uncorroborated and sensationalist" and stressing his recall from the tour was purely for fitness reasons.

With Haider's future hanging in the balance, the case adds another chapter to Pakistan cricket's history of off-field controversies.