PCB lifts Haider Ali's suspension, receives NOC to play in Bangladesh Premier League

Pakistan batter Haider Ali is set to return to cricket after months on the sidelines, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lifted his provisional suspension. The board has also granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). Notably, the 25-year-old had not played any cricket since being cleared of rape allegations in Manchester.

Haider had been suspended by the PCB after a UK-born Pakistani woman accused him of rape while he was touring England with the Pakistan Shaheens squad in September. The PCB had suspended him as a precaution, stating that it would remain until the investigation was complete. The allegation had halted his cricketing career, with the batter missing several opportunities.

However, on September 25, Manchester Police closed the case, saying there was not enough evidence to arrest Haider or proceed with charges. Despite being cleared, Ali continued to be out of action as he awaited PCB’s internal decision on his provisional suspension.

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Nine players receive NOC from PCB to participate in BPL

After months, the PCB on Wednesday confirmed that Haider is among the nine Pakistani players who have received NOCs to play in the BPL. A PCB source stated that all approved players have been allowed to participate in the league until January 23. The cricketer has represented Pakistan in 35 T20Is and 3 ODIs, and will now join the newly formed BPL franchise Noakhali Express, which signed him for USD 20,000 in the recent auction.

Apart from Ali, the PCB has issued NOCs to Muhammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Sahabzada Farhan, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Khawaja Nafay, and Ehsanullah. All these players will be available for their respective BPL teams until January 23.

However, not all applications were cleared. Out-of-favour batter Umar Akmal was denied an NOC and has publicly questioned the PCB’s decision. Akmal claimed he has missed several lucrative contracts due to the board not approving his NOC requests, and he has now appealed for clarification.