Pakistan women’s team granted permission for international friendly against Saudi Arabia
Pakistan Women’s Football Team Cleared to Play Friendly Against Saudi Arabia
The Pakistan women’s football team has received the green light to travel to Doha, Qatar, for an international friendly match against Saudi Arabia on December 7. The government’s approval allows the team to depart for Doha on Wednesday morning.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) earlier announced the squad for the match, with experienced defender Maria Khan serving as captain. The 20-player squad includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and five forwards.
While the teams had initially planned a joint training session ahead of the match, logistical challenges led to the cancellation of this arrangement. Instead, the Pakistan team conducted a preparatory training camp at home before their departure.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) extended the invitation for this friendly during FIFA’s official international window for women’s matches, offering to cover Pakistan’s travel and accommodation expenses. The two teams, ranked 158th (Pakistan) and 174th (Saudi Arabia) in FIFA’s women’s rankings, aim to promote regional collaboration in football.
This friendly follows Pakistan’s previous tours to Saudi Arabia, where the team participated in tournaments and impressed with their performances.
Pakistan Squad for the Friendly Match:
Goalkeepers:
- Nisha Ashraf
- Arzoo
- Jennah Farooki
Defenders:
- Maria Khan (c)
- Sara Khan
- Mishal Bhatti
- Sophiya Qureshi
- Mehreen Gul
- Fatima Nasir
- Nizalia Siddiqi
Midfielders:
- Suha Hirani
- Rameen Fareed
- Amina Hanif
- Sanah Mehdi
- Alia Sadiq
Forwards:
- Zahmena Malik
- Isra Khan
- Nadia Khan
- Anmol Hira
- Eman Mustafa
The match will mark another chapter in the growing rivalry between the two nations in women’s football and underscores the progress of the sport in the region.
