Malé (GNP): Pakistan ended a 74-year wait for a standalone football tournament title in memorable fashion, defeating Afghanistan 2-0 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Male, courtesy of a spectacular overhead kick from Shayek Dost and a late solo effort by Harun Hamid.
Cheered on by flag-waving supporters chanting their name, the Shaheens claimed the most significant trophy in the modern era of Pakistan football, the first time the national side has won a standalone tournament final. Their previous title, at the 1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, was decided on a league format and shared with India, while their last final appearance before this came at the 1962 Merdeka Cup. Pakistan, who have claimed gold at the South Asian Games on four occasions, can now add a standalone championship to that legacy.
Afghanistan, who had pushed Pakistan hard throughout the tournament despite losing 2-0 to them in the round-robin stage, made an assertive start to the final. However, the Shaheens weathered the early pressure and took control.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute following a free-kick won by the lively Otis Khan on the left. Afghanistan failed to deal with the delivery from the right, and when the ball fell to Shayek Dost off a miskick, the striker met it acrobatically to send the crowd into raptures.
With the lead secured, Pakistan grew in confidence, though Afghanistan continued to press and came agonisingly close to levelling just before half-time when they struck the crossbar. Pakistan held firm to carry their advantage into the break.
The second half opened with Pakistan on the front foot, and Adil Nabi nearly doubled the lead almost immediately after the restart, also hitting the woodwork. Coach Nolberto Solano introduced fresh legs as his side produced some fluid, intricate passing combinations, though the contest grew increasingly tense as the final whistle approached. Pakistan had a golden opportunity to put the result beyond doubt nine minutes from time, but Ali Shah shot straight at the Afghan goalkeeper.
At the other end, goalkeeper Saqib Hanif was commanding throughout, anchoring a resolute defensive display. The win was confirmed deep in stoppage time when substitute Harun Hamid produced a moment of individual brilliance — twisting past a defender before sliding the ball in off the post to trigger jubilant scenes among the Pakistan squad and supporters.
The victory completed an unbeaten run through the tournament and gave Pakistan their third consecutive win to clinch the title.
Prime Minister extended warm congratulations to the national football team following their triumph at the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives, praising their commanding final win over Afghanistan as a moment of national pride.
He expressed confidence in the squad’s continued success on the international stage.
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PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani Congratulates Nation, Declares Victory Highest Point of His Tenure
PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani described the triumph as a landmark moment for Pakistan football and a vindication of the federation’s ambitious reform agenda.
“When I took over as President of the Pakistan Football Federation, I had vowed we would do things that had never been done before. First, it was our women’s national team at the FIFA Series and now it is our men’s national team,” he said.
He reflected on how far the federation had travelled in a short space of time — from years without an elected governing body to winning a first standalone tournament final — and called the achievement another milestone in the broader effort to transform Pakistani football.
“This is the day that Pakistan football has announced itself to the world that it has the desire, the courage and the will to persevere and ultimately deliver on the international stage,” Gilani declared.
He framed the victory as a launching pad rather than a destination, pledging continued investment in the national teams and describing the triumph as the beginning of a new chapter.
“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. This is just the start,” he concluded.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
