alim-ud-din was born in ajmer, a city in british india, on 15 december 1930. after the independence of pakistan in 1947, he moved to karachi along with his family. he lived in london and never married, instead providing for his family. pakistan international airlines (pia) had given him an opportunity to work at london heathrow airport. two of his brothers, salimuddin and azimuddin, both also played first-class cricket. his nephew, james uddin, the son of salimuddin, is also a cricketer and currently plays semi-professional cricket in england.