India reached the SAFF Women's Championship final on the back of a 8-0 win over Pakistan in the semis. —File Photo
India reached the SAFF Women\'s Championship final on the back of a 8-0 win over Pakistan in the semis. —File Photo
India were crowned winners of the inaugural South Asian Football Federation Women’s Championship on Thursday, when they beat Nepal 1-0 in the final at Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazaar Zilla Stadium.

Sasmita Mallick’s 65th-minute winner was enough to see India through to glory, after a goalless first half saw both teams squander several goal-scoring opportunities.

India had been the most dominant team of the tournament, scoring 39 goals in their four matches leading up to the final while maintaining a clean sheet.

Gold medallists at the South Asian Games in February, India entered the final on the back of a comprehensive 8-0 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the semis. Bala Devi, starred for India in the semi-final with a hat-trick and was adjudged player of the tournament on Thursday.

Opinion

Editorial

War & deception
Updated 09 Mar, 2026

War & deception

While there is little doubt that Iran is involved in many of the retaliatory attacks, the facts raise suspicions that another player may be at work.
The witness box
09 Mar, 2026

The witness box

IT is often the fear of the courtroom and what may transpire therein that drives many victims of crime, especially...
Asylum applications
09 Mar, 2026

Asylum applications

BRITAIN’S tough immigration posture has again drawn attention to the sharp rise in asylum claims by Pakistani...
Petrol shock
Updated 08 Mar, 2026

Petrol shock

With oil markets bracing for more volatility, more price shocks are inevitable in the coming weeks.
Women’s Day
08 Mar, 2026

Women’s Day

IT is a simple truth: societies progress when women are able to shape them. Yet the struggle for equality has never...
Rescuing hockey
08 Mar, 2026

Rescuing hockey

PAKISTAN hockey is back to where it should be. Years of misses came to an end on Friday with a long-awaited...