ISLAMABAD: Pakistan defeated Afghanistan to clinch the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Malé on Wednesday, ending the country’s 74-year wait for a football tournament title.
Shayek Dost’s acrobatic effort in the 24th minute helped the Shaheens get the lead over Afghanistan before substitute Harun Hamid finished the game in the 94th minute with his solo effort going in off the post.
On the opposite end of the field, goalkeeper Saqib Hanif commanded his defense well, closing out the match with a clean sheet for the men in green.
Pakistan defeated Afghanistan 2-0 in the last round-robin encounter to finish top of the standings.
Pakistan Football Federation President Mohsen Gilani congratulated the team for the victory, terming the triumph a high point in his career.
“We have come a long way in the space of one year, and this is another step in our journey to change the landscape of Pakistan football,” he said, adding that the win would herald a new beginning for the Shaheens.
The country last won a tournament in 1952 at the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, sharing the trophy with India on the occasion.
The tournament also marked the first time Pakistan had qualified for a final since 1962.
“To the men who have created history, to everyone who has contributed to it, we will continue to provide you with the tools to ensure you raise Pakistan’s flag at the world stage,” Gilani said.
“This is just the start.”
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his heartiest congratulations to Pakistan’s football team on winning the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives, said a statement issued from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Islamabad on Thursday.
According to the statement, the prime minister said, "Impressive victory over Afghanistan in the final has brought pride and joy to the entire nation."
"Wishing our talented players continued success in the future."
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