Islamabad / Malé, June 11, 2026: Pakistan has won the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives, defeating Afghanistan 2-0 in the final, marking a historic milestone in the country’s football history and drawing nationwide praise, including congratulations from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In a message posted on X, the prime minister extended “heartiest congratulations” to the national football team, saying the victory had brought “pride and joy to the entire nation,” and wished the squad success in future competitions.
The tournament, held in Malé to commemorate 75 years of Maldivian football, featured Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bangladesh. Pakistan emerged as champions after a consistent campaign, finishing unbeaten and without conceding a goal.
Pakistan secured the title after scoring seven goals across four matches, combining disciplined defensive organization with effective counter-attacking play.
The victory is being described as one of the most significant achievements in Pakistan football in decades, with the national side reaching a final of a football-only international tournament for the first time in 64 years, the last being the 1962 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia.
It is also Pakistan’s first major football tournament triumph in 35 years, with the last notable success coming at the 1991 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games, where Pakistan claimed gold.
The final at the National Stadium in Malé saw Pakistan adopt a compact defensive strategy while relying on swift transitions.
Pakistan broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Haris Zeb delivered a precise cross into the box, allowing Otis Khan to attempt a shot. The effort lacked full power but led to a rebound situation inside the penalty area, where Shayek Dost reacted quickly to score with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
The ball struck the post before crossing the line, leaving Afghanistan goalkeeper Faisal Ahmad Hamidi unable to prevent the opening goal.
Afghanistan responded with a strong attempt through Omid Mousavi, whose first-half effort struck the Pakistan goalpost, narrowly missing an equaliser.
In the second half, Afghanistan increased pressure through wing play, but Pakistan maintained defensive discipline and structure, limiting clear chances.
Pakistan sealed the win during a late counterattack when Afghanistan committed numbers forward. Haroon Rashid sprinted past the last defender Ali Rayez Muradi before calmly finishing to make it 2-0.
Haroon Rashid finished as the top scorer of the tournament with three goals, while Otis Khan was named Best Player of the Tournament.
Pakistan’s overall performance was marked by defensive solidity, with the team conceding zero goals throughout the tournament, highlighting tactical discipline and team cohesion.
Goalkeeper Saqib Hanif played a key role in maintaining the clean sheet record, particularly with his familiarity and composure at the Malé venue.
The triumph is being seen as a major boost for football in a country where cricket dominates the sporting landscape. The result is expected to add momentum to efforts aimed at developing and expanding football at the national level.
