The Pakistan women’s football team has wrapped up its campaign at the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship. Throughout the tournament, the team contested two matches: one against India, which ended in a 2-5 defeat, and another against Bangladesh, concluding in a 1-1 draw. Despite the formidable opposition, Pakistan’s women demonstrated commendable resilience and competitive spirit. Across these matches, they netted a total of three goals. Let’s spotlight the players who lit up the scoreboard.
Suha Hirani vs. India (45+2′)
Vice-captain Suha Hirani made history by scoring Pakistan’s inaugural goal in the tournament against India, just moments before halftime. Stepping up to take a penalty, Suha executed a perfectly placed shot into the far corner of the net, leaving the Indian goalkeeper with no chance of making the save. At that moment, India had already scored four goals, making Suha’s contribution a vital boost for the team’s morale.
Kayla Siddiqui vs. India (46′)
In the same match, Kayla Siddiqui, a player from the diaspora, showcased her skills by heading the ball into the net just after the start of the second half. This goal narrowed the deficit to 4-5, and it was set up by none other than the esteemed Nadia Khan, who played a significant role in Pakistan’s memorable victory against Nepal in 2023. Additionally, Rameen’s expertly taken corner contributed to this goal, highlighting Pakistan’s effectiveness in capitalizing on set pieces to surprise their opponents.
Kayla, who is based in the U.S. and plays as a defender, made her international debut for Pakistan in 2023 against Singapore. She has expressed her gratitude towards captain Maria Jamil for encouraging her to represent Pakistan. Interestingly, due to her limited familiarity with Pakistani culture and lack of proficiency in Urdu, her teammates affectionately nickname her “Baji Banana,” as her name “Kayla” sounds akin to the Urdu word for banana.
Zahmena Malik vs. Bangladesh (31′)
In a crucial encounter against Bangladesh, Zahmena Malik found the back of the net in the 31st minute, giving Pakistan a crucial lead. Her goal, which came from a well-placed long pass by Rameen, was skillfully slotted into the near post, placing Pakistan ahead at 1-0. This pivotal moment presented an opportunity for Pakistan to secure a win and advance to the knockout stage. Unfortunately, fate had other plans as Bangladesh equalized in the dying moments of the match, scoring in the 90th minute, which ultimately led to Pakistan’s exit from the tournament.
Zahmena is another talented diaspora player, born in the UK. Playing as a forward for London Seaward Football Club, she joined Al-Hmmah, a first-division women’s football club in Saudi Arabia, in February 2024. Zahmena made history as the second Pakistani player to join a Saudi first-division club, following in the footsteps of captain Maria Jamil. She also competes for Karachi City FC, contributing to the club’s success in numerous national tournaments.
While Pakistan’s journey in the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship may have ended sooner than hoped, the goals contributed by Suha, Kayla, and Zahmena underscore the potential of this emerging squad. Their performances will undoubtedly inspire future endeavors in the sport.
Related: Pakistan’s Journey Ends at 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship: Key Takeaways