SAFF Championship 2023: India to begin their campaign against Pakistan

Express News Service

BENGALURU:  An India-Pakistan clash on Indian soil? Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi might be adamant that this won’t happen in cricket, but the football teams of both countries could face each other in Bengaluru soon.

The draw ceremony for the 14th edition of the SAFF Championships put the heated rivals in the same group. If Pakistan do end up travelling for the event (which as of now seems to be on the cards), the tournament is slated to open on June 21 with an India-Pakistan clash. However, this remains a big if as media reports in Pakistan have stated that the team’s participation in the tournament is conditional to governmental clearance — something which the Pakistan Football Federation has not yet received. 

In light of the recent controversies in cricket — both sides refusing to play on each other’s soil — it might not be a surprise if this is denied. AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran told this newspaper that the Pakistan football body itself was fully on board. “Obviously, the federation filled in all the forms and completed the necessary procedures, so we know they want to come. But what goes on between them and their government, we cannot comment on,” he said.

If Pakistan do end up participating, it will mark their return to competitive football in more than four years. Since a FIFA ban on the PFF — imposed for outside interference in the organisation — was lifted in 2022, Pakistan have just played two friendlies. Both games, versus Nepal and Maldives, resulted in 0-1 losses.

While India and Pakistan have had heated rivalries in cricket and hockey, football matches between the two nations have never had the same lure. “An India-Pakistan football game usually does not command the same kind of attention as cricket or hockey because India football team is usually stronger and expected to win,” Prabhakaran said. This assertion is backed up by statistics. In the 26 matches between the two countries, India have won 15 while Pakistan have won just 4. The SAFF Championships — a frequent battleground between the neighbours — has never been won by Pakistan, while India have won it a record 8 times.

However, Pakistan will head into the tournament as something of a wildcard following their four-year absence. Their squad for the friendlies against Nepal and Maldives had a number of foreigners of Pakistani origin, playing in the leagues of England and Denmark. There is every chance they could spring a surprise or two in Bengaluru. “Pakistan hasn’t played in five years, so we don’t know what their quality will be,” said Prabhakaran. “They might bring foreign players (of Pakistani origin) so we can’t say anything. I hope there will be a full house in Bengaluru, not just for this but for all India matches.”

India are ranked 101 while Pakistan 195. At 99, Lebanon are the highest ranked team. Of late, though, Pakistan teams in various disciplines have been travelling to India. During the Chess Olympiad in Chennai, the Pakistan team were given visas but went back after landing because the torch travelled through Kashmir.

Group A: India (101), Kuwait (143), Nepal (174), Pakistan (195)
Group B: Lebanon (99), Maldives (154), Bhutan (185), Bangladesh (192).
Fixtures: Jun 21: Kuwait vs Nepal, 3.30 PM; India vs Pakistan, 7.30 PM; Jun 22: Lebanon vs Bangladesh, 3.30 PM; Maldives vs Bhutan, 7.30 PM; Jun 24: Pakistan vs Kuwait, 3.30 PM; Nepal vs India, 7.30 PM; Jun 25: Bangladesh vs Maldives, 3.30 PM; Bhutan vs Lebanon, 7.30 PM; Jun 27: Nepal vs Pakistan, 3.30 PM; India vs Kuwait, 7.30 PM; Jun 28: Lebanon vs Maldives, 3.30 PM; Bhutan vs Bangladesh, 7.30 PM; Jul 1: Semi finals; Jul 4: Final.

<br> BENGALURU:  An India-Pakistan clash on Indian soil? Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi might be adamant that this won’t happen in cricket, but the football teams of both countries could face each other in Bengaluru soon.

The draw ceremony for the 14th edition of the SAFF Championships put the heated rivals in the same group. If Pakistan do end up travelling for the event (which as of now seems to be on the cards), the tournament is slated to open on June 21 with an India-Pakistan clash. However, this remains a big if as media reports in Pakistan have stated that the team’s participation in the tournament is conditional to governmental clearance — something which the Pakistan Football Federation has not yet received. 

In light of the recent controversies in cricket — both sides refusing to play on each other’s soil — it might not be a surprise if this is denied. AIFF general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran told this newspaper that the Pakistan football body itself was fully on board. “Obviously, the federation filled in all the forms and completed the necessary procedures, so we know they want to come. But what goes on between them and their government, we cannot comment on,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

If Pakistan do end up participating, it will mark their return to competitive football in more than four years. Since a FIFA ban on the PFF — imposed for outside interference in the organisation — was lifted in 2022, Pakistan have just played two friendlies. Both games, versus Nepal and Maldives, resulted in 0-1 losses.

While India and Pakistan have had heated rivalries in cricket and hockey, football matches between the two nations have never had the same lure. “An India-Pakistan football game usually does not command the same kind of attention as cricket or hockey because India football team is usually stronger and expected to win,” Prabhakaran said. This assertion is backed up by statistics. In the 26 matches between the two countries, India have won 15 while Pakistan have won just 4. The SAFF Championships — a frequent battleground between the neighbours — has never been won by Pakistan, while India have won it a record 8 times.

However, Pakistan will head into the tournament as something of a wildcard following their four-year absence. Their squad for the friendlies against Nepal and Maldives had a number of foreigners of Pakistani origin, playing in the leagues of England and Denmark. There is every chance they could spring a surprise or two in Bengaluru. “Pakistan hasn’t played in five years, so we don’t know what their quality will be,” said Prabhakaran. “They might bring foreign players (of Pakistani origin) so we can’t say anything. I hope there will be a full house in Bengaluru, not just for this but for all India matches.”

India are ranked 101 while Pakistan 195. At 99, Lebanon are the highest ranked team. Of late, though, Pakistan teams in various disciplines have been travelling to India. During the Chess Olympiad in Chennai, the Pakistan team were given visas but went back after landing because the torch travelled through Kashmir.

Group A: India (101), Kuwait (143), Nepal (174), Pakistan (195)
Group B: Lebanon (99), Maldives (154), Bhutan (185), Bangladesh (192).
Fixtures: Jun 21: Kuwait vs Nepal, 3.30 PM; India vs Pakistan, 7.30 PM; Jun 22: Lebanon vs Bangladesh, 3.30 PM; Maldives vs Bhutan, 7.30 PM; Jun 24: Pakistan vs Kuwait, 3.30 PM; Nepal vs India, 7.30 PM; Jun 25: Bangladesh vs Maldives, 3.30 PM; Bhutan vs Lebanon, 7.30 PM; Jun 27: Nepal vs Pakistan, 3.30 PM; India vs Kuwait, 7.30 PM; Jun 28: Lebanon vs Maldives, 3.30 PM; Bhutan vs Bangladesh, 7.30 PM; Jul 1: Semi finals; Jul 4: Final.