Suhail Bhat shines as defending champion India defeats Pakistan in SAFF Championship opener

Defending champions India secured a 3-2 victory over Pakistan on Thursday in their opening Group B match of the SAFF Championship 2026 at the National Stadium in Dhaka.

First Half Dominance

Striker Suhail Ahmad Bhat led the charge for India, scoring a brace with goals in the 13th and 19th minutes. Mohammed Suhail set up the opener with a low cross for a simple tap-in, before Bhat scored his second by beating Pakistan goalkeeper Yousuf Butt in a one-on-one situation. Manglenthang Kipgen added a third goal in the 31st minute after receiving a pass from Noufal and chipping the ball past the keeper, giving India a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time.

Late Pakistan Fightback

India allowed Pakistan back into the game during stoppage time after a sluggish second half. Najeeb Ullah scored first for Pakistan with a thunderous header from a Junaid Shah cross in the 91st minute. Alamgir Ghazi added a second goal just minutes later with a sharp turn and finish from a narrow angle. However, the late surge came too late to change the match outcome.

Squad Challenges

India fielded a second-string team with only 17 players available for the fixture. Coach Naushad Moosa managed the squad without several key players because ISL clubs had not released them yet, since the tournament falls outside the official FIFA international break window from November 9 to 17.

Context

Tournaments held outside official international windows often see teams struggle with squad depth as club sides prioritize domestic league fixtures. The SAFF Championship brings together South Asian national teams to compete for regional football supremacy.