Pakistan begin their SAFF Championship campaign against India in Dhaka on Thursday, and several of their best overseas-based players will not take part.
As per the details, the match opens Group B, which also includes the Maldives. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals on November 14 and the final takes place on November 17.
India are the defending champions and have won the title nine times. They are chasing a record 10th. Pakistan’s best finish in the tournament remains third place, which they achieved in 1997.
Coach Nolberto Solano began Pakistan’s training camp on October 26, nine days before the opener.
Pakistan’s 28-man squad includes five diaspora players who are available for the India game. They include Haris Zeb, Adil Nabi, Yousuf Butt, McKeal Abdullah and Umar Nawaz.
While Abdullah is more likely to come off the bench than start, Nawaz and Shayak Dost could partner up front in Pakistan’s usual 5-3-2 formation.
Nearly half the squad, about 10 players, is 23 or younger.
The diaspora group carries the biggest gaps. Otis Khan, who helped Pakistan win the Four Nations tournament, is unavailable, and so are Abdullah Iqbal, Rahis Nabi, Easah Suliman and Faraz Gulzari.
Eight of the main overseas players, the ones who play in top-tier leagues, are not with the team. Solano will therefore go into the match with a much weaker side than the one he would choose at full strength.
