Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali, 24, has been acquitted of rape charges in the UK after police and prosecutors found no adequate evidence to pursue the case. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have formally closed the investigation, which was initiated after his arrest on August 4 at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground in Kent. The allegations were made by a British-Pakistani woman who claimed Ali had raped her at a Manchester hotel on July 23. She claimed they met again on August 1 in Ashford before reporting her complaint on August 4. However, investigators found discrepancies in her version. Evidence showed that she had booked the hotel room in her own name, and the complaint was made days after the alleged incident, diluting the case. Ali has been innocent throughout, terming the allegations "shocking" and "false." His passport has now been returned, and he is free to travel. The Pakistani batter was represented by UK-based criminal law specialist Barrister Moeen Khan during the investigation. Also Read | 4 Pakistan Players Who Could Trouble India in Asia Cup 2025 PCB's Reaction and Next Steps After the allegations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had provisionally suspended Ali in accordance with its code of conduct for players involved in criminal investigations. In a statement, the PCB stated, "In line with its duty of care and responsibility 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." With the case dismissed, Ali is likely to resume his cricketing career, though the PCB will likely carry out its own internal inquiry. The right-handed batter made his international debut in 2020 and has played 35 T20Is and two ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 499 runs in the shorter format. His last international appearance was at the 2023 Asian Games. Ali was touring England with the Pakistan Shaheens team at the time of his arrest. Now acquitted of charges, he will be looking to make a strong case for a return to the national team, particularly with Pakistan in a transition phase in T20 cricket.