SAFF Championship: India beat Pakistan 3-2, Nepali football remains at a standstill

In a SAFF Championship 2026 match played in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Thursday, defending champions India defeated Pakistan 3-2.

In the match at the National Stadium, India's Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice. A goal from Bhat gave India an early lead in the match.

India then extended their lead to 3-0 after Manglenthang Kipgen added another goal. India played an attacking game in the first half.

In injury time of the second half, Pakistan scored two goals but could not avoid defeat.

With this win, India have topped Group B. Nepal is not taking part in this edition of the tournament.

Nepal has been left out because world football's governing body FIFA suspended the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). This is the first time in the 33-year history of the tournament, which began in 1993, that Nepal has been absent.

Because of the suspension, Nepal's national and international football activities have come to a near standstill. Meanwhile, the NPL cricket tournament is currently underway in the country.