Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Pakistan men’s football team began their 2026 SAFF Championship with a 3-2 loss to India. The National Stadium Dhaka saw India’s striker Suhail Ahmad Bhat give the defending champions a quick 2-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes thanks to some good passes from India’s midfield featuring Muhammed Suhail and Abhishek Suryavanshi.
Pakistan, missing several key starters like defenders Abdullah Iqbal and Easah Suliman due to the match happening outside the FIFA international window, struggled against India’s possession as Manglenthang Kipgen made 3-0 in 32nd minute from a through ball by Noufal N.P.
The Shaheens head coach Nolberto Solano was forced to make an early change as striker McKeal Abdullah replaced defender Waqar Ehtisham Baloch. Soon after Pakistan got a lifeline as Hayyaan Khattak won a penalty after a foul in the box. Pakistan striker Shayak Dost, unfortunately, overhit his penalty as it blazed over the bar.
India, themselves playing their B team for the tournament as their main senior side plays international friendlies with New Zealand, kept their 3-0 lead at the break.
Umar Nawaz and Muhammad Junaid replaced Syed Ali Raza and Ali Uzair Mahmood for Pakistan at the break. Yet India maintained pressure throughout to try and increase their lead. Pakistan’s 2nd half went further badly as left back Abdul Rehman and Shayek Dost had to be taken off for injuries as Junaid Shah and former Pakistan U20 player Najeebullah came on.
Najeebullah had a chance late from a McKeal Abdullah pass to score but was well saved by India goalkeeper Arsh Anwer Shaikh. Eventually Pakistan scored twice to reduce the deficit in stoppage time.
Najeebullah pulled one back in the second minute of added time, powering home a bullet header from a Junaid Shah cross to register his first international goal.
Two minutes later, Alamgir produced a moment of brilliance to make it 3-2. Receiving a pass from McKeal Abdullah, the midfielder, with his back to goal, lifted the ball before swivelling and connecting with a spectacular overhead kick that found the far corner.
Pakistan launched another attack in search of an equaliser, but India held on to win 3-2 and claim all three points in the Group B encounter.
Pakistan now play Maldives on Sunday, 8 November at 2:30pm PKT needing a result to have a chance to qualify for the SAFF semifinals. That match will also be before the FIFA international window begins.
Before and after the game, both teams shook hands with each other as a mark of respect.
