Pakistan end 35-year wait for win with 3-0 victory over Maldives in four-nation football event

Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan’s men’s football team ended a 961-day winless streak in international football with a commanding 3-0 victory over hosts Maldives in the Diamond Jubilee Four-Nation Football Tournament on Thursday.

After beginning the tournament with a goalless draw against Bangladesh, Pakistan entered the match under pressure to secure a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

Both sides failed to score in the first half before Pakistan broke the deadlock after the interval.

Young Umar Nawaz gave Pakistan the lead in the 54th minute, scoring his first international goal in just his second appearance. The match also marked his first start for the national team.

Nawaz’s journey to the national side carries a personal story of resilience. His brother, Haris Nawaz, was among those martyred in the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, while another brother, Ahmed Nawaz, was critically injured.

The family later moved to the United Kingdom in 2015, where Umar developed his football career before earning a place in the national squad.

Pakistan doubled their advantage in the 84th minute through Abdul Samad Arshad, before Harun Hamid added a third goal just three minutes later to seal a dominant win.

The result marked Pakistan’s first international victory over the Maldives since 1991 and ended a long winless run, with their previous win coming against Cambodia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in October 2023.

The victory strengthened Pakistan’s chances of reaching the final. The team will play their last league-stage match against Afghanistan on June 7.

Pakistan currently have four points from two matches and remain in strong contention for a place in the final scheduled for June 10.