Maria to lead Pakistan team at SAFF event

ISLAMABAD: Maria Khan will lead Pakistan women’s football team in the SAFF Women’s Championship, which will be held from October 17 to 30 in Nepal.

The team currently training at the Jinnah Stadium is scheduled to depart for Nepal via Dubai from Islamabad on October 12. Drawn into Group A, the women in green will face arch-rivals India and Bangladesh. Group B consists of hosts Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against India on October 17 followed by a group-stage clash with Bangladesh on October 20. Squad: Goalkeepers: Nisha Ashraf, Mafia Parveen and Rumaysa Khan.

Defenders: Kayla Siddiqui, Mishal Bhatti, Sarah Khan, Nizalia Siddiqi, Sophia Quershi, Fatima Nasir and Mehreen Khan.

Midfielders: Suha Hirani, Maria Khan, Sanah Mehdi, Amina Hanif, Rameen Fareed and Kayanat Bhokari. Forwards: Nadia Khan, Zahmena Malik, Isra Khan, Anmol Hira, Anushay Usman and Alia Sadiq.