Haider Ali – The fruit vendor who refused to let go of his cricket dream | Cricket Information

Born in Pakistan, Haider Ali now represents UAE. (Picture: Particular Association)

Born in a small village in Pakistan the place cricketing amenities have been nonexistent and schooling was prioritised over sport, Haider Ali’s path to the UAE nationwide crew was something however standard. He by no means performed age-group cricket, labored as a night-time waiter, bought fruits throughout the pandemic and even survived a near-fatal accident that just about ended his profession.But, he by no means gave up. Right now, at 30, the left-arm spinner stands tall as one in every of UAE cricket’s most promising cricketers, having performed a pivotal function of their historic T20I sequence win over Bangladesh and shining in franchise cricket with Dubai Capitals in ILT20.From village mud to Lahore desiresHaider Ali’s journey to worldwide cricket is the stuff of Bollywood dramas — minus the glamour. Born in a distant village (Kamalia Azmat Shah) in Pakistan, Haider was by no means meant to be a cricketer. There have been no playgrounds, no nets and most significantly, no permission. His uncle, who raised him, made it clear: no cricket till you go your Matric (Class 10) exams. That meant lacking all formative cricket — college, under-14, under-16.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“I got here from a really small village which had no amenities. My uncle, who took care of me and my schooling, didn’t enable me to play,” Haider advised TimesofIndia.com. “He used to say that first you need to clear the matric examination… after that I will not cease you.”As soon as he graduated, he left for Lahore — 5 hours away — on a one-way ticket to chase his dream. He discovered a cricketing dwelling at Ludhiana Gymkhana Membership, beneath the steerage of Akhtar Mumtaz. Days have been for cricket. Nights have been for survival.“I used to work as a waiter within the evening time and throughout the day I performed cricket and exercised within the health club. My household did not know something… they solely knew that their son was enjoying cricket in Lahore,” he mentioned.

Then got here COVID. Marriage halls shut, jobs vanished and Haider grew to become a fruit vendor. But, cricket remained.“I labored (for) virtually 4 years as a fruit vendor, however I didn’t depart my cricket. I saved working towards my expertise, as a result of cricket is my ardour and my father’s dream.”However tragedy struck once more — a life-threatening accident. He fell 30 toes from a bridge when an overloaded auto-rickshaw toppled whereas transporting fruits.“The auto fell down… I broke my shoulder, leg, nasal bone and others. However I’m very fortunate, God has given me a second life,” he mentioned.Most individuals advised him it was over. “A whole lot of massive cricketers, together with Check gamers, advised me that ‘your profession is over.’ However I did not consider them. I had labored too onerous and believed that God would give me my end result.”A brand new life within the UAE

Haider Ali. (Picture: Particular Association)

Haider’s perception pushed him to take probably the most painful step but — leaving dwelling and Pakistan. With simply 10 Pakistani rupees in his pocket (barely 1 Dirham), he flew to the UAE, tears in his eyes, for a greater future.“It is a very emotional matter for me,” he mentioned, his voice cracking. “After I was leaving, my mother was crying… my dad too. I advised my mother that I’ll return solely after making you all proud.”He discovered preliminary assist within the Seven Districts cricket crew, particularly from its proprietor Muhammad Haider and his father Amir Ali. “We aren’t in contact now, however they gave me the whole lot within the first two and a half years right here,” he acknowledged.

Right now, Haider represents Karwan Cricket Membership — one in every of UAE’s premier sides — and credit Babar Iqbal for his continued progress. Even in Dubai, the grind hasn’t stopped. His routine displays his obsession.“My day begins at 3:30 am. I am going swimming, then apply. I sleep a bit, then get up round 2-3 pm and practice once more — bowling and fielding drills in 45 levels Celsius. Then I am going to the health club. I do not care what others are doing. I work when nobody is watching apart from God.”Making historical past and desires come true

Haider Ali. (Picture: Particular Association)

On Could 21, 2025, Haider Ali etched his identify in UAE cricket folklore. Taking part in a pivotal function, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner took 3 for 7 in 4 overs, serving to UAE clinch their first T20I sequence win over a Check-playing nation — Bangladesh — in Sharjah.It wasn’t only a sequence win. It was validation.From being a waiter and fruit-seller in Lahore to taking key wickets in opposition to a full-member nation, Haider has confirmed everybody improper — besides himself.“I all the time believed that God would give me my time. Because the Almighty all the time says: you do the onerous work, and depart the end result to me.”