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Key Players
Zesh Rehman
By far the most famous Pakistan footballer, Zesh, who was the first British Asian to play in the EPL, will be appearing in his second SAFF Championship. There is no doubting the central defender’s quality but according to Shahrukh Sohail of footballpakistan.com, the 29-year-old has plenty to prove for the Pakistan national team.
Adnan Ahmed
The Burnley-born central midfielder is a former Manchester United youth player and is currently plying his trade for Droylsden F.C. in the Northern Premier League in England. A veteran of three SAFF Championships, vice-captain Adnan will be determined to finally take his nation past the group stage.
Hassan Bashir
Born in Denmark, Bashir is currently playing for Fremad Amager in the third tier of Danish football. The 26-year-old striker made his international debut last year against Singapore and has good memories of playing in Nepal already as he netted the winner against them in a friendly earlier this year.
SAFF 2013 Group: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan
SAFF 2013 FixturesSeptember 1: India; September 3: Nepal; September 5: Bangladesh
SAFF 2013 Expectations
Pakistan are the third-highest ranked team of the group and couldn’t have wished for a tougher start as their first game is against holders and arch-rivals India. But any India-Pakistan duel is a high pressure match and the Green Shirts will relish being the underdogs. If they can get a result in the opener, Pakistan will fancy beating Nepal and Bangladesh and make the semi-finals for the first time since 2005. Recent history and form are against Pakistan but if their foreign-born players step up they could turn out to be the surprise package of the tournament.
