Three Pakistan players to monitor as India and Pakistan meet in SAFF Championship opener
Pakistan will meet India in the opening match of the 2026 SAFF Championship at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 5, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00 IST. This preview identifies three Pakistan players who could influence the outcome of that game.
India enter the November international window after three high-profile friendlies in the September-October period, for which the dues are yet to be cleared, and could play up to six matches across the window. One group of players will travel to New Zealand for two friendlies under senior national team head coach Khalid Jamil, while the remaining four matches will be in the 2026 SAFF Championship, where India U-23 head coach Naushad Moosa will lead a second-string side made up of youngsters and senior players who have struggled to establish themselves in the senior setup. India are the reigning champions, having won the last two editions in 2021 and 2023. Pakistan arrive ranked 197th in the FIFA global rankings, after winning the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in Malé in June but failing to win a group-stage game at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, where they lost to Thailand and Vietnam and drew with the Philippines.
Mohib Ullah is a 21-year-old centre-back who has made around 12 appearances for Pakistan's senior team and will be asked to shoulder greater responsibility with Easah Suliman and Abdullah Iqbal unavailable. Described as a tall, physical presence, he relies on disciplined positioning and positional awareness to provide stability and to disrupt opposition attacks through interceptions and blocks. He recently opened the scoring in Pakistan’s clash against Vietnam, despite his side eventually losing 4-2, a reminder of the threat he can pose from set pieces. His role will be particularly important in containing India’s attacking options in the absence of Pakistan’s senior centre-back options.
Adil Nabi, an English-born midfielder who chose to represent Pakistan in 2026, made his Pakistan debut at the 2026 Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament and played a key role as Pakistan won that championship, registering an assist. Nabi previously played for Delhi Dynamos FC on loan from West Bromwich Albion in the 2015 edition of the Indian tournament and rose through the West Brom academy. He is noted for being highly technical on the ball, with the ability to spread play and operate in tight spaces, and for having vision and a goalscoring instinct that can make him dangerous in the final third. Nabi missed Pakistan’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Shayak Dost is a winger who has spent a major part of his career developing and showcasing his skills in Bangladesh and will be a key presence in Pakistan’s attack, particularly given the absence of some diaspora players. Since his debut in 2022 he has earned around 23 caps, scored two goals and registered one assist for the national team. He arrived at the tournament in good form after scoring twice in his most recent club appearance, and his strengths include directness and pace on the flanks along with mobility and agility to operate in tight spaces. His well-timed runs into the box have produced goals and assists at both club and international level.
Pakistan are managed by Peruvian head coach Nolberto Solano. India beat Pakistan 4-0 in their most recent meeting at the 2023 SAFF Championship.
The match between India and Pakistan is scheduled to kick off at 15:00 IST on November 5, 2026, at the National Stadium in Dhaka, serving as the opening fixture of the 2026 SAFF Championship group stage. The result will set the tone for both sides as the tournament begins.
