PM, PCB Chairman Congratulate National Football Team on Diamond Jubilee Success

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi have congratulated the Pakistan football team on their historic victory in the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament, where the Green Shirts defeated Afghanistan 2-0 in the final to clinch the title in the Maldives.

In a message shared on social media platform ‘X’, PM Sharif praised the players for their fighting spirit, discipline, and collective effort, saying the achievement had brought pride and joy to the entire nation.

“Heartiest congratulations to Pakistan’s football team on winning the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in the Maldives. Their impressive victory over Afghanistan in the final has brought pride and joy to the entire nation,” Sharif wrote. “Wishing our talented players continued success in the future,” he added.

In a separate statement, Naqvi said the “Green Shirts” had made the nation proud with their outstanding performance in the decisive encounter at the National Football Stadium.

He lauded the players for showing exceptional skill, determination, and fighting spirit throughout the tournament.

“Winning an international football title after a long time marks the beginning of a new era for Pakistan football,” Naqvi said, adding that the historic triumph was an inspiration for all sportspersons.

He further appreciated the efforts of the players and team management, extending his best wishes for upcoming international assignments. Pakistan secured a convincing 2-0 win over Afghanistan in the final, courtesy of a brilliant display led by Shayak Dost and Harun Hamid.

Dost opened the scoring with a stunning first-half strike, giving Pakistan a 1-0 lead at the break. Afghanistan pressed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but Pakistan’s disciplined defence and timely tactical changes kept them at bay.

Harun Hamid sealed the victory in dramatic style, scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time to double Pakistan’s advantage and confirm a memorable win. The triumph marks Pakistan’s first senior men’s international football final victory since the 1991 South Asian Games, when they beat Maldives 2-0. It is also their first standalone international title since sharing the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament crown with India in 1952.