Born in a small village in Pakistan, where cricket facilities were no one and education was given priority on sports, Hyder Ali’s United Arab Emirates was anything for the national team but traditional. He never played age-group cricket, worked as a night-time waiter, sold fruits during the epidemic and even survived a fatal accident, which almost eliminated his career.Still, he never gave up. Today, at the age of 30, the left-arm spinner is long as one of the most promising cricketers in UAE cricket, who played an important role in its historic T20I series win over Bangladesh and shines in franchise cricket with Dubai capitals in ITT20.Dreams of Lahore with village dustHyder Ali’s international journey to international cricket is the goods of Bollywood drama – Minus the Glamor. Born in a remote village (Kamalia Azmat Shah) in Pakistan, Hyder was never a cricketer. There were no playgrounds, no nets and most importantly, no permission. His uncle, who raised him, made it clear: there is no cricket until you pass your matriculation (class 10) examinations. This means all formative cricket -school, under -14, under -16.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“I came from a very small village that had no facility. My uncle, who had taken care of me and my education, did not allow me to play,” Hyder told Timesophindia.com. “He used to say that earlier you have to clean the matriculation exam … After that I will not be able to stop you.”Once he graduated, he left for Lahore on a way to chase his dream. He found a cricket house at Ludhiana Gymkhana Club under the guidance of Akhtar Mamataaj. The days were for cricket. The nights were to survive.He said, “I used to work as a waiter at night time and during the day I played cricket and exercised in the gym. My family did not know anything … They only knew that his son was playing cricket in Lahore,” he said.
Then Kovid came. The wedding hall closed, the jobs disappeared and Hyder became a fruit seller. Still, cricket remained.“I worked for about 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 the tragedy again hit-a life-threatening accident. He fell 30 feet from a bridge when a overloaded auto-rickshaw topped the fruit transport.“The auto fell down … I broke my shoulder, legs, nose bone and others. But I am very lucky, God has given me a second life,” he said.Most people told him that it was over. “A lot of big cricketers, including the test players, told me that ‘your career is over.” But I did not believe them. I worked very hard and admitted that God would give me the result. ,A new life in UAE
Hyder Ali. (Image: Special Arrangement)
Hyder’s confidence pushed her to take the most painful step – leaving home and Pakistan. With just 10 Pakistani rupees (barely 1 dirham) in his pocket, he flew for a better future for tears in his eyes.“This is a very emotional theme for me,” he said, his voice crack. “When I was going, my mother was crying … My father too. I told my mother that I will come back only after proud of you.”He got initial support in the cricket team of seven districts, especially from its owner Muhammad Haider and his father Amir Ali. “We are no longer in touch, but they gave me everything in the first two and a half years,” he accepted.
Today, Hyder Karwan represents the Cricket Club – one of the major sides of the UAE – and Babur credits Iqbal for his continuous growth. Even in Dubai, the piece is not closed. His routine reflects his passion.“My day starts at 3:30 pm. I go to swim, then practice. I sleep a little, then get up at around 2-3 am and train again-bowling and fielding drills in 45 ° C. Then I go to the gym. I don’t care what other people are doing. I do not work when no one is looking for God.”History and dreams come true
Hyder Ali. (Image: Special Arrangement)
On May 21, 2025, Hyder Ali named his name in the UAE cricket folklore. Playing an important role, the 30-year-old left-handed spinner scored 3 runs for 7 out of 7 in four overs, helping the UAE win their first T20I series in a Test-playing Nation-Bangladesh-Sharajah.It was not just a chain win. This was verification.From being a waiter and fruit-seller in Lahore to a complete member nation taking a major wicket against the nation, Hyder has proved everyone wrong-except-except.“I always believed that God would give me his time. As Almight always says: you work hard, and leave the result.”
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