Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali exonerated on rape charges in UK

Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali, 24, has reportedly been cleared of rape charges in the UK after investigators found insufficient evidence. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have closed the case that began with his arrest on August 4 at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground in Kent, following accusations from a British-Pakistani woman.The woman had claimed she met Ali at a Manchester hotel on July 23, where the alleged incident took place. She said they met again on August 1 in Ashford before filing her complaint on August 4. Throughout the investigation, Ali maintained his innocence, stating he knew the woman as a friend and called the accusations "shocking" and "false."As per news reports, Ali's passport has been returned by the police, allowing him to leave the country at his discretion. The investigation's findings were strengthened by evidence showing the complainant had booked the hotel room under her name for what appeared to be a consensual meeting. The delayed filing of the complaint also weakened the case against Ali.During the investigation, Ali received legal representation from UK-based criminal law expert Barrister Moeen Khan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had temporarily suspended Ali following their code of conduct for players involved in criminal cases. With the case now dismissed, he can resume his cricket career.Ali, who made his international debut in 2020, has played in 35 T20 internationals and two ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 499 runs in the T20 format. While he can now return to cricket, the PCB is expected to conduct its own internal inquiry upon his return to Pakistan.His last international appearance was at the 2023 Asian Games.