Pakistan are facing a mounting preparation crisis ahead of the upcoming South Asian Football Federation Championship, with national team officials confirming that a delayed training camp will begin just nine days before the tournament gets underway in Dhaka.
Head coach Nolberto Solano confirmed that the national training camp will commence on October 26. This leaves the squad with barely any time to prepare before travelling to Bangladesh for their opening fixture against arch-rivals India on November 5.
The compressed schedule has triggered intense scrutiny from football experts and former players over the fitness and overall readiness of the national team. Critics point out that such a brief preparation window is entirely inadequate for players who lack regular competitive action.
Pakistan Football Federation Chief Operating Officer Shahid Niaz Khokhar verified the operational timeline for the squad. According to the federation's plans, the team is scheduled to depart for the Bangladeshi capital on November 2 after wrapping up a brief stint in Islamabad.
The decision to hold the preparatory camp in Islamabad has also drawn criticism from domestic football circles. Observers have suggested that Karachi would have provided a more suitable climate, as the weather conditions there closely mirror those expected in Dhaka.
Former Pakistan international and senior coach Gohar Zaman did not mince words when assessing the situation. He described the delayed training schedule as completely unacceptable given the demanding nature of international football competitions.
Zaman emphasised that local players do not possess the baseline fitness levels of top-tier professional athletes who remain active year-round. He argued that the national squad required an extensive camp lasting at least thirty days to regain proper match fitness.
The former striker also questioned the overall commitment to football development within the country's administration. He stressed that the sport must be managed with greater professionalism if the national team is to compete effectively at the regional level.
Further compounding the coaching discussions, Zaman recommended the inclusion of senior goalkeeping coach Aslam Khan into the national setup. Khan is currently based in Dhaka working with Abahani Limited, which could provide valuable local insights for the touring squad.
Concerns over squad composition extend beyond local fitness levels, with reports indicating that several key overseas-based players might miss the tournament. Club commitments could prevent these important figures from joining the national roster for the regional championship.
Pakistan have been drawn into a challenging Group B alongside traditional rivals India and the Maldives. Meanwhile, hosts Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan form the lineup for Group A in the preliminary stage of the competition.
Following their opening match against India on November 5, Pakistan are scheduled to face the Maldives on November 7. The top two finishing teams from each group will advance directly to the semi-finals, which are slated for November 14.
The high-stakes tournament will culminate with the final match hosted at the National Stadium in Dhaka on November 17. Pakistan will be aiming to improve upon their modest historical record in the regional competition.
Historically, Pakistan's best performance in the SAFF Championship remains a third-place finish achieved during the 1997 edition held in Nepal. In contrast, India dominate the tournament honours list with a record nine titles to their name.
The Maldives follow closely behind with two tournament victories, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan have each claimed a single title. Meanwhile, reports suggest India are planning to field their under-23 team to grant younger players valuable international exposure.
At the heart of Pakistan's recurring international struggles is the absolute absence of a functioning domestic football league. Over the past twelve years, the national league has only been successfully organised once during the 2018-19 season through rival administrations.
The installation of a FIFA Normalisation Committee in 2019 failed to deliver the promised revival of domestic football structures. Consequently, the national team has been forced to rely heavily on players recruited from overseas leagues to remain competitive.
The current administration of the Pakistan Football Federation has now spent over a year in office without making measurable progress toward restoring domestic competitions. This persistent administrative failure leaves local players stranded without regular match practice.
The national team previously encountered similar logistical hurdles during their preparations for the ASEAN Cup. During that campaign, coach Solano faced severe visa delays that forced him to travel independently and directly to Indonesia to join the squad.
As the October 26 camp start date approaches, pressure is mounting on the federation to address these structural shortcomings. Without a thriving domestic league or adequate preparation periods, Pakistan face another uphill battle on the international football stage.
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