Haider Ali Cleared by PCB to Play in BPL 2026 After Rape Case Closed

The Pakistan Cricket Board issued Haider Ali an NOC after UK police found insufficient evidence to proceed with charges.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has cleared batter Haider Ali to play franchise cricket. This allows him to participate in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League.

The PCB confirmed it issued No Objection Certificates for Ali and nine other players. They are permitted to play in the BPL until January 23. Ali was found not guilty in a rape case filed in Manchester last September.

He has not played competitive cricket since the allegations were made. The Greater Manchester Police closed the case on September 25. They concluded there was insufficient evidence to arrest or charge the cricketer.

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Background of the Case of Haider Ali

The PCB had suspended Haider Ali immediately after the allegation surfaced. The board described it as a precautionary measure pending the investigation’s outcome. The allegation was made by a UK-born Pakistani woman during Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of England.

With the case now closed, Ali is free to resume his cricket career. He was bought by the new BPL franchise Noakhali Express for $20,000 in the recent auction.

Haider Ali has played 35 T20Is and 2 ODIs for Pakistan. He will be joined in the BPL by several other Pakistani players, including Muhammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed.