Haider Ali – The fruit seller who refused to let go of his cricket dream

Time of India

2 days ago

Born in Pakistan, Haider Ali now represents UAE. (Image: Special Arrangement)
Born in a small village in Pakistan where cricketing facilities were nonexistent and education was prioritised over sport,
Haider Ali
's path to the UAE national team was anything but conventional.
He never played age-group cricket, worked as a night-time waiter, sold fruits during the pandemic and even survived a near-fatal accident that almost ended his career.
Yet, he never gave up. Today, at 30, the left-arm spinner stands tall as one of UAE cricket's most promising cricketers, having played a pivotal role in their
historic T20I series win over Bangladesh
and shining in franchise cricket with Dubai Capitals in ILT20.
From village dust to Lahore dreams
Haider Ali's journey to international cricket is the stuff of Bollywood dramas — minus the glamour.
Born in a remote village (Kamalia Azmat Shah) in Pakistan, Haider was never meant to be a cricketer. There were no playgrounds, no nets and most importantly, no permission. His uncle, who raised him, made it clear: no cricket until you pass your Matric (Class 10) exams. That meant missing all formative cricket — school, under-14, under-16.
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"I came from a very small village which had no facilities.
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My uncle, who took care of me and my education, did not allow me to play," Haider told TimesofIndia.com. "He used to say that first you have to clear the matric exam… after that I won't stop you."
Once he graduated, he left for Lahore — five hours away — on a one-way ticket to chase his dream. He found a cricketing home at Ludhiana Gymkhana Club, under the guidance of Akhtar Mumtaz. Days were for cricket. Nights were for survival.
"I used to work as a waiter in the night time and during the day I played cricket and exercised in the gym. My family didn't know anything… they only knew that their son was playing cricket in Lahore," he said.
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Then came COVID. Marriage halls shut, jobs vanished and Haider became a fruit seller. Yet, cricket remained.
"I worked (for) almost four years as a fruit seller, but I did not leave my cricket. I kept practicing my skills, because cricket is my passion and my father's dream."
But tragedy struck again — a life-threatening accident. He fell 30 feet from a bridge when an overloaded auto-rickshaw toppled while transporting fruits.
"The auto fell down… I broke my shoulder, leg, nasal bone and others. But I am very lucky, God has given me a second life," he said.
Most people told him it was over. "A lot of big cricketers, including Test players, told me that 'your career is over.' But I didn't believe them.
I had worked too hard and believed that God would give me my result."
A new life in the UAE
Haider Ali. (Image: Special Arrangement)
Haider's belief pushed him to take the most painful step yet — leaving home and Pakistan. With just 10 Pakistani rupees in his pocket (barely 1 Dirham), he flew to the UAE, tears in his eyes, for a better future.
"It's a very emotional topic for me," he said, his voice cracking. "When I was leaving, my mom was crying… my dad too. I told my mom that I will return only after making you all proud."
He found initial support in the Seven Districts cricket team, especially from its owner Muhammad Haider and his father Amir Ali. "We are not in touch now, but they gave me everything in the first two and a half years here," he acknowledged.
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Today, Haider represents Karwan Cricket Club — one of UAE's premier sides — and credits Babar Iqbal for his continued growth. Even in Dubai, the grind hasn't stopped. His routine reflects his obsession.
"My day starts at 3:30 am. I go swimming, then practice. I sleep a bit, then wake up around 2-3 pm and train again — bowling and fielding drills in 45 degrees Celsius. Then I go to the gym. I don't care what others are doing. I work when no one is watching except for God."
Making history and dreams come true
Haider Ali. (Image: Special Arrangement)
On May 21, 2025, Haider Ali etched his name in UAE cricket folklore. Playing a pivotal role, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner took 3 for 7 in four overs, helping UAE clinch their first T20I series win over a Test-playing nation — Bangladesh — in Sharjah.
It wasn't just a series win. It was validation.
From being a waiter and fruit-seller in Lahore to taking key wickets against a full-member nation, Haider has proven everyone wrong — except himself.
"I always believed that God would give me my time. As the Almighty always says: you do the hard work, and leave the result to me."
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