(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Announces Squad for SAFF U17 Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has officially announced a 23-member squad for the upcoming SAFF U17 Championship 2025, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from September 15 to 27.
Group Stage Fixtures
Pakistan has been placed in Group B and will begin their campaign against:
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Bhutan – September 16
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Maldives – September 19
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India – September 22 (Defending champions & arch-rivals)
Meanwhile, Group A includes hosts Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Pakistan Squad for SAFF U17 Championship 2025
Head coach Syed Nasir Ismail finalized the squad with a balanced lineup across all positions:
Goalkeepers: Samar Razzaq, Khalil Jibran, Adil Ali Khan
Defenders: Nadeem Hussain, Muhammad Alam, Muhammad Masood, Muhammad Zubair, Shahid Anjum, Aabiss Raza, Azizullah
Midfielders: Mustafa Israr, Abdul Samad, Ibrahim Asif, Muhammad Talha, Haroon Rasheed, Muhammad Essa, Saad Tiwana
Forwards: Muhammad Abdullah, Mansoor Ahmed, Hasnain Wali Raza, Muhammad Owais, Hamza Yasir, Syed Shahram
A Platform for Youth Development
The tournament is regarded as a vital platform for Pakistan’s emerging footballers to gain international experience and test their skills against strong South Asian rivals. With youth development a continuing challenge for Pakistan football, this championship provides an important opportunity to assess future prospects.
Spotlight on the India Clash
Among the fixtures, the Pakistan vs India encounter on September 22 is expected to be the most high-profile match. Traditionally intense and competitive, it promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
Pakistan’s Aim in 2025
Pakistan reached the semi-finals in their last appearance. This time, the team will be aiming to go further and establish itself as a serious contender in South Asian youth football.
