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Mukhtar Ali (footballer, born 1962)
Sheikh Mukhtar Ali (born 25 July 1962) is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a defender.[1][2] He played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career, and captained the Pakistan national team on several occasions from 1986 till 1988, guiding the national side achieve the bronze medal at the 1987 South Asian Games. Early lifeAli was born on 25 July 1962 in Lahore, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He studied up to FA level, and started his football career with Bata Club of Lahore at the age of 15, where he played from 1978 till 1982.[3] Club careerAli played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career at the National Football Championship from 1982 till 1994.[3][4] In 1979, Ali featured in the National Youth Football Championship, where he led the Punjab team.[5][6][7] International careerIn 1982, Ali represented Pakistan youth in the 30th Asian Youth Championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal.[3] He also featured against a team of South-West German Football Association which arrived in Pakistan on 3 January 1983 on a six day tour. In the first test played at Rawalpindi, the Germans beat Pakistan XI 0–3, with Mukhtar scoring a self goal in the second half in a bid to clear the ball which ultimately deflected from another Pakistani defender's foot and landed in the goal. The second test in Karachi on 8 January ended in a 0–2 defeat.[8] Mukhtar made his senior international debut with Pakistan at the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification held in Calcutta, later playing at the 1984 Merdeka Tournament. The following year, he played at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament in Tehran where he was vice-captain after Shaukat Mufti.[9] He also featured at the Quaid-e-Azam International Cup in 1985 and 1986. In the 1986 edition, he wore the captain armband for the first time. Mukhtar was once again handed the captaincy in the 1987 South Asian Games in India, helping the team achieve the bronze medal.[4][10][11][12] He also played as captain at the 1988 AFC Asian Cup qualification in Kuala Lumpur, marking his final appearances with the national team.[13] Post-retirementAfter his retirement as player, Mukhtar undertook several trainings to obtain a coaching license.[14] Personal lifeMukhtar came from a family of footballers. His elder brother Niaz Ali Naji and his younger brother Ejaz Ali also represented the Pakistan national team, the latter alongside him on several occasions. His eldest brother Niaz Ali's son Zahid Niaz also played for the national team.[3] HonoursPakistan Airlines
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