Business as usual: PSB issues NOC for SAFF Women's Championship at the 11th hour

True to form, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) continued its last-minute tradition, issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the national women's football team mere hours before their departure for Kathmandu, where they will compete in the SAFF Championship starting October 17.

The PSB the other day had refused NOC by issuing a lengthy letter to the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Normalization Committee.

However, it went on to review the process by asking for some additional documents before issuing the NOC just in time for the team’s departure this afternoon for Nepal's capital via Dubai.

When Pakistan Under-17 team was going to Thimphu for the SAFF Cup recently, the Board issued NOC just before the brigade’s departure from Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the national karate side was issued NOC just two hours before its departure for China recently for featuring in the Asian Championship.

The Pakistan women’s football team under coach Adeel Rizki held its last training session in Islamabad on Friday. The team hardly trained for nine days.

Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A with India and Bangladesh while Group B carries Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will open their campaign with the game against India on October 17.

It would be a tough fight keeping in view the rivalry in sports between the two nations, although Indian team clearly will have the upper hand going into the contest.

However, Rizki the other day told Nukta that that it would not be easy for India to beat Pakistan.

“We need to try to reach our full potential in this match. We intend to execute what we have been training for. On the day anything can happen. I’m very confident that it won’t be easy for India,” Rizki had said.

After India's clash, Pakistan will face Bangladesh on October 20. The matches will be played at 4:45 pm PST at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium Kathmandu.

Group B carries Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. Top two teams from each pool will progress to the semi-finals.

In the 2022 SAFF Cup Pakistan had exited at the group stage. Pakistan had lost to India 0-3 and were whipped by Bangladesh 6-0. However, in their last match Pakistan crushed Maldives 7-0 to end the tournament on a high.

In the 2014 edition, which was held in Islamabad, Pakistan also exited at the group stage. Sri Lanka and Nepal beat Pakistan 2-1 and 2-0, respectively. Pakistan, however, pulled off a consolation win by crushing Bhutan 4-1 in their last group show.

In the 2012 edition held in Sri Lanka, Pakistan faced similar fate as they failed to go beyond group stage. They were beaten by Nepal 8-0, downed by Afghanistan 4-0 before they conquered Maldives 3-0.

In the inaugural edition held in Bangladesh Pakistan reached semi-finals but lost that 0-8 to India. Earlier in the group stage Pakistan beat Maldives 2-1, conquered Afghanistan 3-0 before Nepal whipped Pakistan 12-0.

India have won the initial five editions while the previous event was won by Bangladesh.

Pakistan squad:

Goalkeepers: Nisha Ashraf, Mafia Parveen and Rumaysa Khan; Defenders: Kayla Siddiqui, Mishal Bhatti, Sarah Khan, Nizalia Siddiqi, Sophia Quershi, Fatima Nasir and Mehreen Khan; Midfielders: Suha Hirani, Maria Khan, Sanah Mehdi, Amina Hanif, Rameen Fareed and Kayanat Bhokari; Forwards: Nadia Khan, Zahmena Malik, Isra Khan, Anmol Hira, Anushay Usman and Alia Sadiq