GAWAH News Desk | November 6, 2026
India opened its defence of the SAFF Championship with a 3-2 win over Pakistan in Dhaka on Thursday, November 5. Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice and Manglenthang Kipgen added a third as India built a 3-0 half-time lead. Pakistan struck twice in stoppage time, making the closing minutes far more tense than India’s first-half control had suggested.
The result gives India three points from its opening Group B fixture at the National Stadium in Dhaka. The victory was confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), whose match report records all five goals and the sequence of the late Pakistan comeback.
Who scored in India vs Pakistan?
India’s goals came from:
- Suhail Ahmad Bhat: 13th and 19th minutes.
- Manglenthang Kipgen: 31st minute.
Pakistan replied through Najeeb Ullah in the 90+1st minute and Alamgir Ghazi in the 90+4th. The official AIFF report records the final score as Pakistan 2, India 3.
How did India take control of the match?
India began patiently, building from the back and looking to establish control in midfield. Bhat opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Muhammad Suhail drove down the left and delivered a low ball into the penalty area. Bhat doubled the lead six minutes later, finishing after Abhishek Suryavanshi split the Pakistan defence with a forward pass.
Kipgen made it 3-0 in the 31st minute. Noufal PN carried the ball through the middle before releasing Kipgen into space, allowing the midfielder to finish past goalkeeper Yousuf Butt.
Pakistan had an opportunity to reduce the deficit before half-time after being awarded a penalty, but Shayak Dost sent his attempt over the crossbar. Bhat came close to a hat-trick just before the break, with his effort from outside the box narrowly missing the target.
Why did the finish become tense?
India created further opportunities after the restart but could not add to its lead. Pakistan kept pressing and found a route back into the match in stoppage time. Najeeb Ullah headed in from Junaid Shah’s cross in the 90+1st minute. Three minutes later, Alamgir Ghazi controlled a delivery from McKeal Abdullah and finished acrobatically to make it 3-2.
Pakistan’s late surge did not change the result, but it turned a match that had appeared settled into a close finish. India held on to collect all three points.
What happens next in the SAFF Championship?
India’s next Group B fixture is against the Maldives on November 11 at the National Stadium in Dhaka, according to the AIFF. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals.
India entered the tournament as defending champions. The opening win is a positive start, while the two late goals conceded will give the coaching staff areas to review before the next group match.
India vs Pakistan football: quick answers
What was the final score?
India defeated Pakistan 3-2 in their SAFF Championship 2026 Group B opener on November 5.
Who scored for India?
Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice, in the 13th and 19th minutes, while Manglenthang Kipgen scored in the 31st minute.
Who scored for Pakistan?
Najeeb Ullah scored in the 90+1st minute and Alamgir Ghazi in the 90+4th minute.
When will India play next?
India are scheduled to face the Maldives on November 11 at the National Stadium in Dhaka.
Sources
- All India Football Federation: India defeat Pakistan in SAFF Championship opener
- India Today: Match report and tournament context
- Dawn: Pakistan’s late comeback in Dhaka
Image credit: Abigail Keenan / Unsplash. Representative football-stadium photograph; not an image of the India-Pakistan match.
