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- PCB says probe being conducted over incident that reportedly occurred during Pakistan Shaheen’s recent tour of England
- Board says it has ensured that Haider Ali has received “appropriate legal support” to protect his rights during the investigation
Islamabad: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday it has decided to place cricketer Haider Ali under provisional suspension, saying it was informed that the Greater Manchester Police was conducting a criminal investigation against the athlete.
Without sharing details of the investigation, the PCB said the probe relates to an incident that reportedly occurred during the Pakistan Shaheens’ cricket team’s recent tour of England.
The board said in line with its duty to ensure the welfare and legal rights of all its players, the PCB has ensured that Haider Ali has received “appropriate legal support” to protect his rights throughout this process. The cricket board added that it respects the legal procedures and processes of the UK and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course.
“Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” it added.
The cricket board said that once the legal proceedings conclude and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take “appropriate action” under its Code of Conduct.
“Until such time as the legal process reaches its conclusion, the PCB will not offer further comment on the matter,” the board concluded.
Ali, 24, is a right-handed aggressive batter who has featured for Pakistan in only two ODIs but 35 T20Is and 164 T20s. In T20Is, he has scored 505 runs at an average of 17.41 and made three half-centuries. In T20s, the batter has scored 3,141 runs and scored 17 fifties.
He has played for renowned Pakistan Super League franchises such as Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi.