KARACHI Turab Ali, former skipper of the Pakistan national football team, passed away in Karachi on Friday.

Dubbed as 'Wall of China' and 'Pillar of Hercules' during his hey days, Turab had been suffering from complications after a severe stroke and was also admitted to the Kutiana Memon Hospital at Kharadar for a long time.

He represented Dhaka and Karachi in national championships during the 1960s. His international career spanned from 1961 to 67.

Turab made his international debut against Burma (now Myanmar) in 1961 and six years later took over the charge of the national team as its 16th skipper.

It was under his captaincy that Pakistan defeated Saudi Arabia in the Faisalabad Test, part of a four-Test series in 1967. Playing in the position of central-defender, he also showed remarkable defensive qualities when Pakistan featured the 4th Asia Cup, QR and RCD Cup in 1967.