KATHMANDU: A sensational strike from striker Ali Zafar saw Pakistan open their SAFF Under-19 Champ­i­onship campaign on a winning high as they downed hosts Nepal 1-0 in their Group ‘A’ match at the Dasharath Stadium on Thursday.

Ali launched a right-foot rocket from outside the box in the 76th minute, the shot swerving as it went past Nepal goalkeeper Ziarat She­ikh and into the back of the net.

It’s the first time that Pakistan are participating at the junior-level regional tournament and the win puts them in a good position to advance from their group with their second match to come against the Maldives on Saturday.

The top two teams from the two three-team groups adva­nce to the semi-finals.

In an end-to-end game, Pak­i­stan’s Mohammad Adil’s free kick went just over in the ninth minute while the hosts’ Samir Tamang shot wide two minutes later.

Ziarat had made a stunning stop to deny Shah Jahan’s free kick from going in but he had no answer to Ali’s shot.

Published in Dawn, September 22th, 2023