PM Shehbaz Sharif congratulates Pakistan football team on Diamond Jubilee triumph

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated the Pakistan football team on their historic victory in the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament, where the Green Shirts defeated Afghanistan 2-0 in the final to lift the title in the Maldives.

In a message posted on the social media platform 'X', Sharif praised the players for their fighting spirit, discipline and collective performance, saying their success had brought pride and joy to the entire nation.

“Heartiest congratulations to Pakistan’s football team on winning the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives. Their impressive victory over Afghanistan in the final has brought pride and joy to the entire nation,” Sharif wrote.

“Wishing our talented players continued success in the future,” he added.

Pakistan produced a commanding performance in the final, with Shayak Dost and Harun Hamid playing key roles in securing the win.

Dost opened the scoring with a brilliant first-half strike to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead at the interval. Afghanistan attempted to mount a comeback after the break, but Pakistan’s well-organised defence and timely tactical changes kept them at bay.

Harun Hamid sealed the victory in stoppage time, scoring in the fourth minute of injury time to double Pakistan’s advantage and secure a memorable triumph.

The victory marks Pakistan’s first senior men’s international football final win 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.