Turab Ali (died 5 June 2009) was a Pakistani footballer who played as a centre-back. He was dubbed as "the Wall of China" or "Pillar of Hercules” during his heyday in the 1960s due to his defending abilities.[1][2][3][4]
Club career
Lyari Mohammedan
Turab used to play as central-defender, and started his domestic football career Shamashin Club Lyari, now known as Lyari Mohammedan.
Karachi Port Trust
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.[5][6]
Dhaka Mohammedan
Ali standing third from the left with Dhaka Mohammedan in 1966.
In 1961, he was brought to Mohammedan SC Dhaka by Mohammedan's chief scout, Amir Jang Ghaznavi. He played for the Dhaka club between 1961 and 1968, during which the club only lost twice. He played an important role in winning the Dhaka League with the club in 1961, 1963, 1965, and 1966.[7]
International career
Due to his performance in Mohammedan SC Dhaka, Ali was selected for the Pakistan national team. Turab made international debut against Burma (now Myanmar) in 1961 and six years later took over the charge of national team as 16th skipper of Pakistan Football team.[5] 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.
Ali (far left standing), during Pakistan tour to China in 1964
He played in RCD Cup 1965 and he was captain when Pakistan defeated Saudi Arabia in a test match in Lyallpur by 3–1, part of an unofficial four-Test series in 1967 held across various cities in Pakistan.[8][9]
He also showed remarkable defensive quality when Pakistan played the 1968 AFC Asian Cup qualification and RCD Cup in 1967 under his captaincy. His International career span was from 1961 to 1967.[5]
Ali was belonged to the locality of Lyari in Karachi.[10][11][12] 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 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
He passed away in Karachi on 5 June 2009.[5] He had having been suffering from complications after a severe stroke and was admitted to the Kutiana Memon Hospital at Kharadar.[5]
_at_the_1966_Aga_Khan_Gold_Cup_final.png)
