Turab Ali
Pakistani footballer (1943–2009)
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Turab Ali alternatively spelled Torab Ali (Urdu: تراب علی; 1943 – 5 June 2009) was a Pakistani footballer who played as a centre-back. Dubbed as "Wall of China" or "Pillar of Hercules" during his heyday in the 1960s due to his defending abilities, he is regarded as one the most prominent Pakistan defenders in history.[1][2][3][4] In 1968, Turab was selected for the Asian All Stars team.[5][6]
|
Ali in the 1960s | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Turab Ali | ||
| Date of birth | 1943 | ||
| Place of birth | Karachi, British India | ||
| Date of death | (aged 65–66) | ||
| Place of death | Karachi, Pakistan | ||
| Position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –1960 | Lyari Mohammedan | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1960s | Karachi | ||
| 1960s | Karachi Port Trust | ||
| 1960s | PIA FC | ||
| 1965–1968 | Dacca Division | ||
| 1965–1968 | Dhaka Mohammedan | ||
| International career | |||
| 1962 | Pakistan Youth | ||
| 1961–1967 | Pakistan | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Early life
Club career
Karachi
Turab started his domestic football career Shamashin Club Lyari, now known as Lyari Mohammedan.[9]
In a match of Lyari Mohammedan against the departmental side Karachi Port Trust at the KMC Stadium in 1960, Ali impressed in the game, which led to Karachi Port Trust extending an invitation for him to join their ranks.[9][10][11] He also represented the Karachi Division team at the National Football Championship. He captained Karachi Blues in the 1961–62 season.[7][8]
Ali helped Karachi Port Trust win the 1964 Aga Khan Gold Cup which was shared with Mohammedan SC,[12] being an integral part in Karachi Port Trust's road to the final.[13] He also represented PIA FC in the 1962 Aga Khan Gold Cup.[14][15]
Dacca Division
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In 1965, he was brought to Mohammedan SC Dhaka by Mohammedan's chief scout, Amir Jang Ghaznavi. During his stay in the Dhaka League, he also represented Dacca Division at the National Football Championship. He played for the Dhaka club between 1965 and 1968. He played an important role in winning the First Division with the club in 1965 and 1966.[9][16]
International career
Due to his performance in Mohammedan SC Dhaka, Ali was selected for the Pakistan national team. His International career span was from 1961 to 1967.[10] Turab made his international debut against Burma in 1961 and six years later took over the charge of national team as 16th skipper of Pakistan Football team.[10] He also participated in the 1962 AFC Youth Championship held in Bangkok.[7] In 1964, when Ali visited away with the national team in a friendly against China, his game was at its peak and he was given the title of Wall of China.
He played in the 1965 RCD Cup and he was captain when Pakistan defeated Saudi Arabia in a test match in Lyallpur by 3–1, part of a four-Test series in 1967 held across various cities in Pakistan.[17][18]
He also showed remarkable defensive quality when Pakistan played the 1968 AFC Asian Cup qualification in 1967 under his captaincy. In 1967, a knee injury against India in Burma in the 1968 AFC Asian Cup qualification proved to be the end of his career.[19] Fellow defender Wali Muhammad served as captain of the remaining matches of the qualifiers after his injury.[20]
In February 1968, Ali was selected as part of the AFC Asian All Stars team.[5][6] However, he could not make the appearance for the selected side as his knee injury became worse.[19]
Personal life
Ali was belonged to the locality of Lyari in Karachi.[21][22][23] He was the eldest of four sisters and four brothers, and also used to work at a port at the beginning of his career. After leaving football, Ali lived in poverty. He also drove a taxi on the streets of Karachi. In 1970, the Cricketer's Guild of Pakistan, though focused on cricket, stepped in to help by raising funds of around Rs. 4,000. Players such as Alimuddin, Asif Iqbal, Mushtaq Mohammad, helped contribute to raising funds.[19]
In July 1971, Ali was invited to a show led by Zia Mohyeddin at the Dacca TV Station which also featured Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum, Rakhshanda Khattak, Ferdausi Rahman and a Japanese guest. However Ali was asked to leave the show shortly after starting, sparking controversy.[24][25]
In the latter part of his life he became constrained and confined himself to a room. In 2003, he was given financial assistance of 50 thousand rupees in a tournament held in his name at the People's Football Stadium.
Death
Honours
Karachi Port Trust
- Aga Khan Gold Cup (1): 1964
Dhaka Mohammedan
- Aga Khan Gold Cup runner-up: 1961
- Dhaka First Division League (2): 1965, 1966
Individual