India edge Pakistan 3-2 in Dhaka SAFF Championship opener

India began their SAFF Championship title defence with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Pakistan at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, surviving a late fightback after building a three-goal lead.

Suhail Ahmad Bhat struck twice before Manglenthang Kipgen added India’s third. Pakistan, however, refused to give up, scoring twice in stoppage time to make the closing moments tense.

Adil Nabi pulled one back in the 92nd minute before Alamgir Ali Khan produced a stunning strike two minutes later. Pakistan had earlier missed a golden opportunity to get on the scoresheet when Shayak Dost failed to convert a first-half penalty.

India are aiming for a record-extending 10th SAFF Championship title. They entered the tournament ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, while Pakistan were placed 197th.

The two sides had met 29 times in senior internationals before Thursday’s encounter, with India winning 16, Pakistan four and nine matches ending in draws.

Their previous meeting at the 2023 SAFF Championship in Bengaluru ended in a 4-0 victory for India, with Sunil Chhetri scoring a hat-trick. India went on to lift the trophy.