List of Pakistan national football team captains explained

This article lists all the captains of the Pakistan national football team.

The first captain to lead Pakistan in their international debut in October 1950 was the goalkeeper Osman Jan,[1] who captained Pakistan in their first international match against Iran on 27 October 1950.[2] [3]

The following table includes players who have captained the Pakistan national football team, along with the vice-captains and the international tournaments they led in.[4]

List of captains

TenureIncumbentVice-captainsTournaments/NotesRef
1950Osman Jan[5]
1952Abdul Wahid DurraniRamzan Jr.1952 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament
1953Muhammad SharifMoideen Kutty1953 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament
1954Moideen KuttyAhmed Ali1954 Asian Games[6]
1954Jamil AkhtarMoideen Kutty1954 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament
1955Sumbal Khan1955 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament[7]
1956Riasat AliMohammad Amin
1958Nabi ChowdhuryAbdul Haq1958 Asian Games[8]
1959Masoodul Hassan ButtIbrahim
1959–1960Qayyum ChangeziKabir Ahmed1960 Merdeka Tournament[9] [10]
1961Ghulam Rabbani[11] [12]
1961Moosa Ghazi[13] [14]
1962–1965Muhammad UmerAbdul Haq1962 Merdeka Tournament
1963Mohammad AminAbid Ghazi
1964Abid Ghazi
1966–1967Turab Ali1967 RCD Cup[15]
1967Muhammad Lateef
1967Wali Muhammad
1969Murad Bakhsh[16]
1969Sardar Aslam
1969Younus RanaQadir Bakhsh1969 Friendship Cup1969 RCD Cup[17]
1970Qadir Bakhsh1970 RCD Cup[18]
1973Maula Bakhsh
1974Ayub Dar
1974Ali Nawaz Baloch1974 RCD Cup[19]
1974Abdul Ghafoor1974 Asian Games[20]
1976Ghulam Sarwar Sr.Afghanistan Republic Day Festival Cup1976 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup[21] [22]
1981–1982Akbar RaisaniNaeem Gul1981 King's Cup1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup[23]
1984Muhammad Zulfiqar Ghulam AhmedKhalid Butt, Najeeb Ullah Najmi1984 Merdeka Tournament[24]
1985Zulfiqar Dogar1985 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup
1985Arbab Hayat Shahzada1985 South Asian Games[25] [26]
1986–1989Mukhtar Ali1986 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup1987 South Asian Games
1986Muhammad NaveedSamuel Gill1986 Asian Games
1986Shaukat MuftiMukhtar Ali1986 Fajr International Tournament[27]
1987Sharafat Ali1987 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup[28]
1989–1990Mateen AkhtarAbdul Wahid, Zafar Iqbal1989 South Asian Games1990 Asian Games
1991Ghulam Sarwar (Teddy)1991 South Asian Games[29]
1992Mohammad Riaz
1993Zafar Iqbal1993 SAARC Gold Cup
1993–1996Mohammad Tariq Hussain[30]
1995Mohammad Nauman Khan1995 SAFF Gold Cup[31]
1997Qazi AshfaqHaroon Yousaf1997 SAFF Gold Cup[32]
1998–2003Haroon Yousaf1999 SAFF Gold Cup1999 South Asian Games

2003 SAFF Gold Cup

[33]
2002Sarfraz Rasool[34]
2003–2011Jaffar KhanSamar Ishaq, Adnan Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Aziz2005 SAFF Gold Cup2006 AFC Challenge Cup

2011 SAFF Championship

[35]
2005Tanveer Ahmed2005 Islamic Solidarity Games[36]
2006–2009Muhammad EssaJaffar Khan2009 SAFF Championship[37]
2008Zahid HameedImran Niazi2008 SAFF Championship[38]
2010–2013Samar IshaqAdnan Ahmed2013 SAFF Championship
2013–2019Zesh Rehman2013 Philippines Peace Cup[39]
2014Kaleemullah KhanFaisal Iqbal, Saddam Hussain[40]
2014Muhammad Ahmed
2015–2023Hassan Bashir2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup2023 SAFF Championship[41]
2018Saddam HussainHassan Bashir2018 SAFF Championship[42]
2023Saqib Hanif[43]
2023Yousuf Butt2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup[44] [45]
2023–presentEasah SulimanOtis Khan2023 Mauritius Four Nations Cup

Captains by major tournaments

PlayerTournament(s)
Moideen Kutty
Nabi Chowdhury
Abdul Ghafoor
Muhammad Naveed
Mateen Akhtar
Jaffar Khan

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ANI . 2022-12-26 . Osman Jan, Delhi's Santosh trophy hero who also captained Pakistan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230816193359/https://theprint.in/sport/osman-jan-delhis-santosh-trophy-hero-who-also-captained-pakistan/1282459/ . 16 August 2023 . 2023-08-14 . ThePrint . en-US.
  2. Web site: Pakistan Tour of Iran and Iraq 1950 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240530100310/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki-ii50.html . 30 May 2024 . 2023-07-21 . www.rsssf.org.
  3. Web site: Statistics: Iran [Team Melli] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304113632/https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=11 . 4 March 2024 . 2023-07-21 . www.teammelli.com.
  4. Book: Bhatti, Mukhtar . Pakistan Sports: An Almanac of Pakistan Sports with Complete Records 1947-1999 . 1999 . Bhatti Publications . 237–250 . en.
  5. Web site: Ahsan . Ali . 2010-12-23 . A history of football in Pakistan — Part I . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240803064400/https://www.dawn.com/news/593095/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-i . 3 August 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  6. Web site: Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Tuesday 06 April 1954 . British Newspaper Archive.
  7. Web site: 2007-12-25 . Death of footballer Sumbal Khan mourned . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240528123540/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3465819 . 28 May 2024 . 2024-05-28 . Brecorder . en.
  8. Web site: Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 10 May 1958 . British Newspaper Archive.
  9. Web site: Ahsan . Ali . 2010-12-23 . A history of football in Pakistan — Part II . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804005435/https://www.dawn.com/news/593096/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-ii . 4 August 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  10. Web site: Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Monday 07 December 1959 . British Newspaper Archive.
  11. Web site: 2006-11-18 . SPORTS WORLD: End to gloomy era of Pakistan football in sight . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230815104230/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3337898 . 15 August 2023 . 2024-08-07 . Brecorder . en.
  12. Web site: 2007-09-21 . PFF president praised for giving boost to football . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124171149/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3436666 . 24 January 2024 . 2024-01-24 . Brecorder . en.
  13. Web site: Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Saturday 21 January 1961 . 2024-08-07 . British Newspaper Archive.
  14. Web site: 2003-05-13 . Pakistan's former football captain expires . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124171033/https://www.dawn.com/news/101731/pakistan-s-former-football-captain-expires . 2024-01-24 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  15. Web site: Statistics: Iran [Team Melli] ]. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807200257/https://www.teammelli.com/matchdata/details/matchdetails.php?id=51 . 2024-08-07 . 2024-08-07 . www.teammelli.com.
  16. Web site: روزنامہ دنیا :- کھیلوں کی دنیا:-انٹرنیشنل فٹبالر عبدالجبار کراچی میں انتقال کرگئے . 2024-09-04 . Roznama Dunya: روزنامہ دنیا :- . en.
  17. Web site: 2014-05-10 . فٹبالر عبدالجبار اورکیپٹن عباس کی یادیں . Memories of Footballer Abdul Jabbar and Captain Abbas . 2024-05-22 . express.pk.
  18. Web site: Hasan . Shazia . 2023-03-05 . REVIVING FOOTBALL IN LYARI . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240515044905/https://www.dawn.com/news/1740465 . 15 May 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  19. Web site: 2010-07-08 . Ali Nawaz unhappy with performance . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240817170031/https://www.dawn.com/2010/07/08/ali-nawaz-unhappy-with-performance/ . 17 August 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  20. Web site: 2010-11-06 . Jaffar named captain of U-23 soccer team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240811193811/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3816701 . 11 August 2024 . 2024-05-30 . Brecorder . en.
  21. Web site: Quaid-E-Azam International Cup (Pakistan) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201223845/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesq/quaid-e-azam.html#76 . 1 February 2024 . 2024-01-24 . www.rsssf.org.
  22. Web site: Former Pakistan captain living below poverty line . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140507033042/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-10-248402-Former-Pakistan-captain-living-below-poverty-line . 2014-05-07 . 2024-08-06 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  23. Web site: Quaid-E-Azam International Cup (Pakistan) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240201223845/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesq/quaid-e-azam.html#82 . 1 February 2024 . 2024-08-07 . www.rsssf.org.
  24. Book: New Straits Times 2 Sep 1984 . New Straits Times . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815233327/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=hK4TAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA11&dq=pakistan+soccer&article_id=3945,439430&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiF6cLNkviHAxXs_7sIHV79E_cQ6AF6BAgHEAI#v=onepage&q=pakistan%20soccer&f=false . 15 August 2024 . live.
  25. Web site: 2010-01-24 . Faisal approves Arif as captain of Pakistan team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240818133355/https://www.nation.com.pk/24-Jan-2010/faisal-approves-arif-as-captain-of-pakistan-team . 18 August 2024 . 2024-08-16 . The Nation . en-US.
  26. Web site: 2014-08-22 . PFF holds former captains seminar . 2024-11-06 . The Nation . en-US.
  27. Web site: 2008-04-09 . Former skippers hail PFF chief over biggest win . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124171037/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3499913 . 2024-01-24 . 2024-01-24 . Brecorder . en.
  28. Web site: 2010-09-05 . PFF chief's efforts for Asian Games football hailed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807175508/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3798032 . 7 August 2024 . 2024-08-07 . Brecorder . en.
  29. Web site: Ahsan . Ali . 2010-12-23 . A history of football in Pakistan — Part III . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725091728/https://www.dawn.com/2010/12/23/a-history-of-football-in-pakistan-part-iii/ . 25 July 2024 . 2024-08-07 . DAWN.COM . en.
  30. Web site: WAPDA register another win; NBP, KRL play 2-2 draw . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240812141224/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/25240-wapda-register-another-win;-nbp-krl-play-2-2-draw . 2024-08-12 . 2024-08-12 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  31. Web site: 2008-10-31 . PFF approves 30 participants for IOC course . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807005124/http://www.brecorder.com/news/3567786 . 2024-08-07 . 2024-08-07 . Brecorder . en.
  32. Web site: Haroon Yousaf . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230816184335/https://www.rsssf.org/players/hyousaf.html . 16 August 2023 . 2024-01-24 . www.rsssf.org.
  33. Web site: 2003-01-04 . Haroon to lead team . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811162853/https://www.dawn.com/news/75995/haroon-to-lead-team . 11 August 2023 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  34. Web site: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan test series 2002 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240815003048/https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sl-paki-test.html . 15 August 2024 . 2024-08-07 . www.rsssf.org.
  35. Web site: 2003-11-26 . Jaffar replaces Haroon as captain . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231002111316/https://www.dawn.com/news/126878/jaffar-replaces-haroon-as-captain . 2 October 2023 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  36. Web site: Pakistan beat India, tie football series . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231225103122/https://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/jun/19foot.htm . 25 December 2023 . 2024-01-24 . www.rediff.com.
  37. Web site: 2009-12-03 . Essa named captain for SAFF Championship . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240818144818/https://www.dawn.com/news/506332/essa-named-captain-for-saff-championship . 18 August 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  38. Web site: 2008-05-27 . Pakistan to include four overseas players for SAFF championship . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240124172538/https://www.dawn.com/news/304594/pakistan-to-include-four-overseas-players-for-saff-championship . 24 January 2024 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  39. Web site: 2013-10-12 . Lutfi pins hopes on Zesh Rehman's captaincy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211209045941/https://tribune.com.pk/story/617192/lutfi-pins-hopes-on-zesh-rehmans-captaincy . 9 December 2021 . 2024-01-24 . The Express Tribune . en.
  40. Web site: PAKISTAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION - HISTORY .
  41. Web site: Hitman Hassan to captain Pakistan against Afghans . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527103512/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/22334-hitman-hassan-to-captain-pakistan-against-afghans . 27 May 2023 . 2024-01-24 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  42. Web site: 2018-09-01 . PFF announces squad for SAFF Championship . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019161709/https://nation.com.pk/01-Sep-2018/pff-announces-squad-for-saff-championship . 19 October 2018 . 2024-01-24 . The Nation . en-US.
  43. Web site: Reporter . The Newspaper's Sports . 2023-03-22 . Coach sees Maldives defeat as another stepping stone for Pakistan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407163930/https://www.dawn.com/news/1743466 . 7 April 2023 . 2024-01-24 . DAWN.COM . en.
  44. Web site: Pakistan eye better performance against Kenya after Mauritius loss . 2024-08-29 . www.geosuper.tv . en-US.
  45. Web site: Former India boss Stephen Constantine creates history for Pakistan . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231022070636/https://khelnow.com/football/2023-10-pakistan-first-qualifier-win-stephen-constantine-creates-history . 2023-10-22 . 2023-10-21 . Khel Now . English.

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