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FOOTBALL - National 13 Feb, 2026

KRL, Wapda set up title showdown with big wins

Islamabad (Sports Report):Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) and Wapda will clash in the National Challenge Cup final on Sunday after both registered 4-0 victories in their last-four clashes at the KPT Stadium on Friday.KRL cruised into the final in style with their thrashing of Army highlighted by sensational strikes from Ali Zafar and Zaid Umer.Ali Raza was involved in three goals as Wapda eased past SA Gardens in a repeat of the final of the last edition of the tournament.KRL 4-0 ArmyKRL dominated possession from the start and took the lead in the 26th thanks to a long-range stunner. Ali Zafar got the ball close to the right and then let fly with a rising shot that dipped just at the right time to leave Army goalkeeper Mohammad Faheem well beaten.Another stunning goal, this time by Zaid Umer, doubled KRL’s lead in the 47th. KRL won a free-kick on the right and Zaid found the sweetest of connections with his left-foot; the ball curling over the wall and into the bottom corner.Army were up against it and it soon got worse when Hazrat Abbas was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity by pulling at the shirt of his opponent.The contest was good as over and KRL sent out a statement by scoring twice late on.Ali Agha tapped in a cross from the left to make it 3-0 in the 70th minute before Sameer Abbas pounced on a rebound off his own shot to complete the rout in the 83rd.“It’s a great win for us,” said Zaid. “We were facing a difficult opponent but we showed our strength today. We hope to do the same in the final.” Wapda 4-0 SA GardensAli Raza starred as Wapda followed KRL into the final with a commanding display against SA Gardens.The striker opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he ran on to a delightful reverse by Fareedullah and found the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.Wapda got their second in the 36th with Ali again involved. Drifting in from the right, he fired a low shot that was deflected in by Mohibullah.SA Gardens were up against it and the were 3-0 down in the 53rd when Ali scored from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. Wapda completed the scoring in the 90th, when Hammad Hassan tucked in a rebound.“Really delighted with the performance,” said Ali. “We imposed ourselves from the start and once we got the first goal, it got easier for us. We’re looking ahead to doing more of the same in the final.”

FOOTBALL - National 11 Feb, 2026

National Cup: Army and SA Gardens book their berths in semifinals

Islamabad (Sports Report): The semi-final line-up at the National Challenge Cup was completed on Wednesday with Army and SA Gardens advancing in contrasting fashion. Mohammad Rafay bagged a brace as Army crushed Nimso 4-0 in their quarter-final while defender Umar Javed starred as SA Gardens overcame International Supply Company 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.Army 4-0 NimsoArmy were rampant from the start and took the lead in stunning fashion when Rafay struck a delightful first-time shot that curled into the far corner in the 13th minute.“I had my eyes on the goal when the ball was coming to me,” said Rafay. “Thankfully the execution was good.”Nimso were struggling to find space with Army’s press and they were 3-0 down by the 26th after Mansoor Ali and Rafay scored in the space of two minutes.First Mansoor latched onto a through ball and dinked it past the keeper before Rafay turned in a shot by Mohammad Afzal.Army continued in the same vein but had to wait till the 85th when Noor Saba netted and they advance to a semi-final against Khan Research Laboratories.SA Gardens 1-1 International Supply Company (SA Gardens won 4-2 on penalties)SA Gardens broke the deadlock in a closely-fought clash when they were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute with Umar Javed sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot.International Supply Company hit back in the 73rd when a breakaway saw Salman Umer slot from under the legs of a defender.After extra-time yielded no further goals, Umar stole the spotlight in the shootout; the defender taking the gloves to tip a penalty by Salman onto the bar and then scoring himself to help his side into a semi-final against Wapda in what is a repeat of the title match at the last edition of the tournament.“It was a tough game and we have another tough one comping up,” said Umar. “We will look to build on this.”

FOOTBALL - National 10 Feb, 2026

Challenge Cup: Pakistan WAPDA and KRL qualify for top-four stage

Islamabad (Sports Report): Khan Research Laboratories(KRL) and Pakistan Wapda reached the semi-finals of the National Challenge Cup with commanding victories at the KPT Stadium on Tuesday.Two superb strikes saw KRL down Mamsons 2-0 in a feisty last-eight clash where both teams went down to 10 men in the first half.Wapda, meanwhile, eased past Pakistan Air Force 3-0 with all their goals coming in the first half.KRL 2-0 MamsonsThe keenly-fought start led to flaring tempers with both sides reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute when Mamsons goalkeeper Usman Khan and KRL forward Mohammad Waheed being sent off for an altercation.KRL broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion in the 41st when Najeebullah received the ball on the left and then cut inside, past two Mamsons players before launching a right-foot rocket that went in off the crossbar.“After we went down to 10 men, the aim was to score as soon as possible,” said Najeebullah. “When I saw the space in front of me, I instinctively took a shot and thankfully it was a great goal.”Mamsons tried to level the match, creating a few chances, but it was KRL who scored with Moin Ahmed sealing the result in the 79th with another stunning goal from outside the box.Receiving the ball from the right and facing the goal, Moin took a touch and steadied himself before launching an unstoppable strike into the top corner.KRL will play the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final between Pakistan Army and Nimso.Wapda 3-0 PAFPAF’s goal had lived a charmed life with Wapda pressing from the start and the opening goal in the fifth minute came after a shot and a header came off the bar with Mohammad Abdullah reacting quickest to nod the ball in from close range.Their second arrived in the 23rd minute when Adnan Saeed headed in from a corner and the contest was good as over in added time at the end of the first half when Ali Raza met a cross from the right with a first-time volley.PAF tried to hit back in the second half but their efforts weren’t enough.“The plan was to press from the start,” said Wapda’s Samnan Qaisar. “We were putting in a lot of crosses in the box and they brought us goals.”Wapda’s semi-final is against the winner of Wednesday’s last-eight clash between SA Gardens and International Supply Company.

FOOTBALL - National 06 Feb, 2026

Nimso, International Supply Company, KRL advance; Hayyan stars for Mamsons

Islamabad (Sports News): Nimso and International Supply Company shook up the National Challenge Cup by punching their way to the quarter-finals with contrasting victories on Friday.Khan Research Laboratories also advanced with a victory, while Hayyan Khattak struck twice in a superb show to help Mamsons open their campaign with a come-from-behind victory over PAF.Mamsons beat PAF 2-1 (KMC Stadium): Hayyan stole the show with a superb brace to help Mamsons clinch all three points against PAF. PAF, coming off a victory against Navy in their opener, started strongly against Mamsons and took the lead in the 18th minute when Abdul Samad cut in from the left and arrowed a shot high into the net.Mamsons were playing their first game at the tournament and PAF had chances to further extend their lead, one shot notably coming off the crossbar. But Hayyan turned it around, first scoring the leveller in first-half injury time after running onto a through ball and slotting it in. He completed the comeback in the 77th, volleying in a rebound after his shot came off the bar.“I’m buzzing,” said the Pakistan international midfielder. “It was a big game for us. I visualised these goals … I saw these coming.” Mamsons’ victory sets up an enticing group decider against Navy on Sunday with all three teams still in the running for the quarters.KRL beat Hazara Coal Company 3-0 (KPT Stadium): KRL had opened with a feisty draw against defending champions Wapda, but showed their superiority against Hazara Coal with a routine victory.Adeel opened the scoring in the 30th minute with Asad making it 2-0 10 minutes later. Skipper Waqar Ehtisham completed the scoring in the 48th. The result means Wapda need only a draw against Hazara Coal Company in their last group game on Sunday to join KRL in the quarter-finals. International Supply Company beat Railway 1-0 (KMC Stadium): An evenly-contested match ended with the International Supply Company scoring from the spot five minutes from time to secure all three points and progress from the group. Railways were claiming a goal at the other end, which was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper, but ended up conceding a penalty when Ali Imran felled Salman Umer in the box.Rizwan made no mistake from the spot to leave Railways, who drew their opener against Army, relying on the result on the final group match between International Supply Company and Army to see if they progress. “It was a tough game but we played well overall and are through,” player-of-the-match Owais said. “We would like to continue the same way in the next match.” Nimso beat PACA 2-0 (KPT Stadium): Nimso gained the upper hand against PACA with two goals in the space of five minutes in the first-half to push their opponents close to elimination. Nimso pressed PACA early on and got their reward in the 17th minute when Zulfiqar broke through to score.It was more misery for PACA five minutes later when Altaf Hussain curled in a free kick from the edge of the box. Mohammad Essa’s PACA, who drew with SA Gardens in the opener, tried to hit back in the second half but Nimso held on.It left the Chaman side needing a favourable result in the last group game between Nimso and SA Gardens on Sunday to stay alive. “It’s great to start of with a win and we will look to continue the same way in the next match and beyond,” player-of-the-match Zulfiqar said.

FOOTBALL - National 04 Feb, 2026

Challenge Cup: PAF record narrow win against Pakistan Navy 1-0

Islamabad (Sports News):Pakistan Air Force started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Pakistan Navy thanks to Arsalan’s stoppage time goal while three other matches ended in draws as the National Challenge Cup kicked off across two venues in Karachi on Wednesday.The heavyweight clash between two-time defending champions WAPDA and Khan Research Laboratories ended in a goalless draw, while Pakistan Railways scored late to hold Pakistan Army to a 1-1 draw.SA Gardens also came from behind, scoring deep into injury time, to secure a point against PACA.PAF 1-0 Navy (KPT Stadium)The match was on an even keel until a long throw from the left resulted in an error by the goalkeeper and the ball fell kindly to Arsalan, who fired into the roof of the net two minutes into time added on.PAF next play Mamsons on Friday while Navy conclude group play against Mamsons on Sunday.Wapda 0-0 KRL (KMC Stadium)A feisty game saw both teams cancel each other out with chances few and far between. “Both teams were well-matched so a draw is a fair result,” said Wapda head coach Mohammad Habib.KRL are next in action on Friday against Hazara Coal, who play Wapda in the final group fixture on Sunday.Army 1-1 Railways (KPT Stadium):After a goalless first half, Army broke the deadlock in the 58th minute when Rafay broke free to put the ball in the back of the net.Railways grabbed the equaliser in the 88th minute when Mohammad Suleman when got to the end of a throughball by Mohammad Abdullah and ran through to score.“Our plan was to counterattack and it worked in the end,” said Railways head coach Nasir Ismail, whose side are next in action on Friday against International Supply Company.PACA 1-1 SA Gardens (KMC Stadium):SA Gardens scored in the third minute of injury time to secure a draw with Umar Javed tapping in from a low cross.PACA had opened the scoring in the seventh minute of time added on at the end of the first half through Sharef Khan.PACA play NIMSO next on Tuesday.

FOOTBALL - National 03 Feb, 2026

National Challenge Cup set for kickoff on Feb 4

Islamabad (Sports News): The National Challenge Cup 2026 kicks off from Wednesday, February 4 with 12 teams taking part. The revival of domestic football had been top of the agenda for the Pakistan Football Federation under the leadership of President Syed Mohsen Gilani and the start of the tournament will give local players a chance to get some long-awaited action.The 12 teams have been divided into four groups of three each with the top two advancing to the quarter-finals. Navy, Pakistan Air Force and Mamsons are in Group ‘A’ while defending champions Wapda headline Group ‘B’ and are alongside KRL and Hazara Coal Company.Army, Railways and International Supply Company are in Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ is completed by SA Gardens, PACA and Nimso.“It is very important to have domestic competitions so young talent can thrive,” Pakistan national men’s football team head coach Nolberto Solano said during a press briefing on Tuesday.The head coach added that he hopes to find local players for the upcoming SAFF Under-20 Championship next month.PFF vice-president Hafiz Zakaullah said that there was a continuous demand for local tournaments.“This is an initiative of the PFF president Syed Mohsen Gilani to boost local football,” he said.Sindh Football Association president Azam Khan said the provincial body was looking to hold the event in a grand manner.“For a long time, nothing was happening but here we are and we hope that the revival of the Challenge Cup is the first step towards more domestic competitions.”

FOOTBALL - National 20 Jan, 2026

PFF appoints Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar as a Chief Operating Officer

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD; The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has appointed seasoned administrator Mohammad Shahid Niaz Khokhar as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in order to fortify its administrative backbone and modernize the country’s football landscape.The appointment is being hailed by insiders as a landmark shift toward institutional governance. Khokhar, who formally assumed charge of PFF COO on Tuesday, is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in Pakistani football’s survival and subsequent revival.Khokhar’s elevation to the role of COO is backed by a formidable track record. As a former member of the FIFA Normalization Committee, he was a central architect in navigating the federation through a tumultuous decade-long crisis. His ability to steer the sport through administrative deadlock and international isolation earned him a reputation as a sophisticated crisis manager and a stabilizing force in the PFF’s most challenging hours.Beyond his domestic influence, Khokhar brings an invaluable layer of international prestige to the PFF. Highly respected by FIFA, the AFC, and other global footballing bodies, his presence is expected to serve as a bridge between Pakistan and the international football community. His mandate as COO involves more than just oversight; he is tasked with: Aligning the PFF’s internal operational framework with FIFA’s global best practices; leveraging his credibility to enhance Pakistan’s standing in global football circles and implementing long-term administrative strategies to ensure the sport never regresses into the stalemates of the past.With football in Pakistan entering a phase of renewed hope, Khokhar’s appointment signals the federation’s commitment to professionalism. By placing an experienced "Normalization" veteran at the helm of operations, the PFF aims to transform the sport’s infrastructure into a robust and world-class entity.

FOOTBALL - National 18 Jan, 2026

CM Bugti assures full support as PFF maps football revival in Balochistan

Lahore (Sports News): A delegation of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), representing PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani, held a high-level meeting with the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti, aimed at reviving and promoting football in Balochistan.The PFF delegation comprised Advisor to the PFF President Eyab Ahmed and Director Legal PFF Ali Akram. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir, Provincial Minister for Sports Meena Majeed, and Inspector General of Police Balochistan Tahir Khan, highlighting the government’s collective interest in sports development.Discussions focused on the revival and long-term development of football across Balochistan, with particular emphasis on upgrading sports infrastructure and introducing structured youth education and development programmes. Both sides stressed the urgent need to create sustainable pathways for young talent, especially in underserved areas of the province.A key highlight of the meeting was the proposed implementation of FIFA’s “Football for Schools” programme and the establishment of FIFA Arena pitches. These initiatives are designed to strengthen grassroots football, encourage youth participation, and enhance talent identification through modern, community-based facilities.Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti reaffirmed the government of Balochistan’s full support for football and sports development in the province. He assured the PFF delegation that any challenges or administrative hurdles faced by the federation would be addressed on a priority basis, emphasizing that empowering youth through sports remains a core objective of the provincial government.The PFF delegation welcomed the Chief Minister’s commitment and endorsed his vision for sports-led youth empowerment. They reiterated the federation’s resolve to work closely with the government of Balochistan to ensure institutional strengthening, sustainable football development, and the long-term revival of the game in the province through coordinated planning and execution.

FOOTBALL - National 11 Sep, 2025

Pakistan team announced for SAFF U-17 Championship 2025

Abdullah AsjadISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced the squad for the upcoming SAFF U-17 Championship 2025, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from September 15 to 27, 2025. The squad was finalized by Head Coach Syed Nasir Ismail.Names of players:Goalkeepers: Samar Razzaq, Khalil Jibran and Adil Ali KhanDefenders: Nadeem Hussain, Mohammad Alam, Mohammad Masood, Mohammad Zubair, Shahid Anjum, Aabiss Raza and Azizullah Midfielders: Mustafa Israr, Abdul Samad, Ibrahim Asif, Mohammad Talha, Haroon Rasheed, Mohammad Essa and Saad Tiwana Forwards: Mohammad Abdullah, Mansoor Ahmed, Hasnain Wali Raza, Mohammad Owais, Hamza Yasir and Syed ShahramPakistan has been placed in Group B alongside India, Maldives, and Bhutan. The national side will begin its campaign against Bhutan on September 16, face Maldives on September 19, and conclude the group stage with a match against India on September 22.

FOOTBALL - National 21 Aug, 2025

Gilani urges players to learn from Head Coach Nolberto Solano

Lahore (SBR): The President of the Pakistan Football Federation, Syed Mohsen Gilani, has stated that Pakistan has never had a coach of such a high pDuring a press conference held at the Pakistan Football Federation, President Syed Mohsen Gilani, accompanied by Head Coach Nolberto Solano, emphasised that Solano’s presence would provide a valuable learning opportunity for local coaches.“His experience will play a key role in strengthening modern football in Pakistan and motivating our players,” Gilani stated. He also highlighted the launch of Pakistan’s first-ever national futsal team, which is currently preparing to participate in an international tournament for the very first time. Gilani further added that FIFA and the AFC have assured their full support for Pakistan’s football development.Newly appointed Head Coach of the Pakistan U23 and Senior Men’s National Teams, Nolberto Solano, a former Peruvian international footballer and experienced coach, shared his vision for Pakistan football.“First of all, I want to thank PFF President Syed Mohsen for giving me this opportunity. It’s a great responsibility and a challenge for me,” Solano said. “I understand the issues Pakistan football is currently facing. In the few days I’ve spent here, I’ve seen an abundance of talent. The players are passionate and eager to play quality football.”“I truly believe we can achieve something meaningful. There’s a real opportunity to develop the game and raise it to a competitive standard. But we must be patient. Our immediate focus is on the U23 squad, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got. With hard work, balance, and time, we can build a strong foundation for the future, he added.

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