Pakistan name 23-member squad for FIFA ASEAN Cup

ISLAMABAD:  (Sports Desk)  – The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has announced a 23-member squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup, while head coach Nolberto Solano will join the national team directly in Indonesia after being unable to attend the training camp in Islamabad due to a visa delay.

According to the PFF, the squad includes both domestic and overseas-based players. In Solano’s absence, assistant coaches Titus Bramble and Waleed Javed supervised the national team’s training camp.

Media reports said Solano initially applied for his visa under an incorrect category. After the issue was identified, the PFF resubmitted his application, but the visa process was delayed.

Abdullah Iqbal will captain the Pakistan side, while experienced forward Kaleemullah has returned to the national squad. Pakistan Under-17 captain Abdul Samad, who recently signed a two-year contract with Azerbaijani club Qarabag FK, has also been included.

PFF President Syed Mohsin Gilani visited the team’s training camp at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad and met with the players. He said Pakistan would face teams ranked significantly higher in the FIFA rankings, describing the tournament as an important opportunity for the national side.

The FIFA ASEAN Cup is scheduled to take place from September 25 to October 5. Pakistan have been drawn in Group B alongside Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Pakistan will open their campaign against Thailand on September 26, followed by a match against the Philippines on September 29 before facing Vietnam on October 2.

Pakistan’s 23-member squad

Yousuf Butt, Hassan Ali, Saqib Hanif, Abdullah Shah, Abdul Rehman, Ali Khan, Ali Agha, Hayyan Khattak, Ali Wazir, Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad Arshad, Kaleemullah, Shayek Dost, Abdullah Iqbal, Isa Suliman, Muhibullah, Mamoon Khan, Muhammad Fazal, Haris Zeb, Umar Nawaz, Abdul Samad and Ali Khan.