Born in a small village in Pakistan where cricket facilities were nonexistent and education was a priority at sport, the way to Haider Ali to the national water team was anything but conventional. He never played age group cricket, worked as a night server, sold fruit during the pandemic and even survived an almost deadly accident that almost ended his career.However, he has never abandoned. Today, at 30, The Left-Arm Spinner is standing as one of the most promising water crickets, having played a central role in their historic victory in the T20i series against Bangladesh and brilliant in franchise cricket with Dubai Capitals in ILT20.From the dust of the village to the dreams of LahoreHaider Ali’s journey to international cricket is the fabric of Bollywood dramas – less glamor. Born in an isolated village (Kamalia Azmat Shah) in Pakistan, Haider has never been supposed to be a cricket player. There were no playgrounds, no nets and above all, no authorization. His uncle, which raised it, clearly indicated: no cricket until you take your matrix exams (class 10). This meant missing all formative crickets – school, under 14, under 16.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!
“I came from a very small village which had no facilities. My uncle, which took care of me and my education, did not allow me to play,” said Haider in Timesofindia.com. “He used to say that you must first clean the matrix exam … After that, I will not stop you.”Once his diploma was obtained, he left for Lahore – five hours by road – on a single -way ticket to chase his dream. He found a cricket house in Ludhiana Gymkhana Club under the direction of Akhtar Mumtaz. The days were for cricket. The nights were for survival.“I used to work as a server at night and during the day I played cricket and practiced in the gymnasium. My family knew nothing … They only knew that their son was playing cricket in Lahore,” he said.
Then came coche. The closed wedding rooms, Jobs have disappeared and Haider has become a fruit seller. However, cricket has remained.“I worked (for almost four years as a fruit seller, but I did not leave my cricket. I continued to practice my skills, because cricket is my passion and my father’s dream.”But the tragedy struck again – a fatal accident. It fell at 30 feet from a bridge when a self-clussed rickshaw has overturned while carrying fruit.“The automobile fell … I broke my shoulder, the leg, the nasal bone and the others. But I am very lucky, God gave me a second life,” he said.Most people told him it was over. “Many major cricket players, including test players, told me that” your career was over “. But I didn’t believe them. I had worked too hard and believed that God would give me my result. “”A new life to water
Haider Ali. (Image: special arrangement)
Haider’s belief prompted him to take the most painful step to date – leaving the house and Pakistan. With only 10 Pakistani rupees in his pocket (barely 1 dirham), he flew to water, tears in the eyes, for a better future.“This is a very emotional subject for me,” he said, his cute voice. “When I left, my mother was crying … My father too. I told my mother that I would only come back after having all proud you.”He found an initial support in the cricket team of the seven districts, in particular his owner Muhammad Haider and his father Amir Ali. “We are not in contact now, but they have given me everything in the first two and a half here,” he recognized.
Today, Haider represents the Karwan Cricket Club – one of the main water teams – and attributes to Babar Iqbal for its continuous growth. Even in Dubai, the version did not stop. His routine reflects his obsession.“My day starts at 3:30 am. I’m going to swim, then train. I sleep a little, then I wake up around 2 p.m. and I train again – bowling and food exercises in 45 degrees Celsius. Then, I go to the gymnasium. I don’t care what the others do. I work when nobody looks at, except God.”Make reality history and dreams
Haider Ali. (Image: special arrangement)
On May 21, 2025, Haider Ali engraved his name in the folklore of water cricket. Playing a central role, the 30 -year -old left -wing spinner took 3 by 7 out of four overs, helping the water to win their first victory in the T20I series on a test nation – Bangladesh – in Sharjah.It was not just a serial victory. It was validation.To be a server and fruit seller in Lahore when taking key counters against a full nation, Haider has proven that everyone is wrong – except himself.“I always believed that God would give me my time. As the all-powerful always says: you do the work hard and leaves me the result.”
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