Bobby Zahiruddin was born in January 1908 in Jullunder, India. He played his early cricket for Islamia High School in Jullunder. He also played for the famous Islamia College in Lahore. When he joined Aligarh Muslim University, he quickly became captain of university team. He was also captain of the Aligarh team, which visited Ceylon in 1938, a side that included Mushtaq Ali. Bobby had the distinction of playing for Uttar Pradesh against Lord Tennyson's team at Lucknow in 1937 under the captaincy of the famous fast bowler Mohammad Nisar. He also had the honour of playing under the captaincy of the Maharaja of Vizinagram against the Australian cricket team, which visited India under the leadership of Jack Ryder, in 1937.

He was a member of the Indian side which visited England in 1932 and 1936. Bobby presented the Aligarh University Cricket Colours to Lord Willingdon, the Viceroy of India, when he visited the University in 1937. He also played for many years for Hyderabad (Deccan) Cricket Association in the Ranji trophy.

Bobby was also a renowned hockey player, playing as right half, with his famous brother, Feroze Khan who played for India in the 1928 Olympics. Bobby belonged to the Pathans of Jullunder, who produced other famous All-India cricketers such as Dr Jehangir Khan, Masood Salahuddin, Baqa Jillani, Iftikhar-uddin and Agha Ahmed Raza Khan. Bobby passed away on 17th December 1989 after a brief illness, in Lahore. He is survived by a son and a daughter.