Mohsin Naqvi lauds Pakistan football team after Diamond Jubilee title triumph

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has congratulated the Pakistan football team on their historic triumph at the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Maldives, where they defeated the Afghanistan national football team 2-0 in the final.

In a statement, Naqvi said the “Green Shirts” made the entire nation proud with their outstanding performance in the decisive clash at the National Football Stadium. 

He praised the players for displaying exceptional skill, determination, and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

“Winning an international football title after a long time marks the beginning of a new era for Pakistan football,” Naqvi said. “This historic victory is a source of inspiration for every sportsperson.”

He further appreciated the efforts of the players and team management, extending his best wishes for future international assignments.

Pakistan secured a commanding 2-0 win over Afghanistan in the final, thanks to a brilliant performance led by Shayak Dost and Harun Hamid.

Dost opened the scoring with a sensational first-half strike, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead at the break. Afghanistan pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but Pakistan’s disciplined defence and tactical substitutions kept them at bay.

Harun Hamid sealed the victory in dramatic fashion, scoring in the fourth minute of injury time to double Pakistan’s lead and confirm a memorable win.

The triumph marks Pakistan’s first senior men’s international football final victory since the 1991 South Asian Games, when they defeated Maldives 2-0.

It is also their first standalone international title since sharing the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament crown with India in 1952.