Pakistan reach SAFF Championship semi-final after India beat Maldives 1-0

Pakistan have reached the semi-finals of the SAFF Championship 2026 after India defeated the Maldives 1-0 in their Group B match at the National Stadium in Dhaka, according to Express News and ProPakistani.

Sahil Ahmed Bhat scored the only goal for India in the 38th minute from a penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after an opponent fouled Abdul Rabiya inside the box.

India lead Group B with six points, while Pakistan are second with three. The Maldives lost both of their matches, failed to score and conceded four goals.

Pakistan lost their opening match 3-2 to India. They then beat the Maldives 3-0 on Sunday, with 19-year-old striker Najibullah Khan scoring two goals in the first half. In the group stage Pakistan scored five goals and conceded three, a goal difference of plus two.

Pakistan will meet the Group A winner in the semi-final on Saturday, 14 November. Who that will be is still undecided.

Bangladesh, the host, have three points in Group A after beating Bhutan 1-0, and have already qualified for the semi-finals. Sri Lanka and Bhutan drew 2-2. Bangladesh play Sri Lanka today in their final group match.

A win or draw for Bangladesh would give them first place in the group and a semi-final against Pakistan. A Sri Lanka win would put Sri Lanka top and set up their match against Pakistan.

India, as Group B winners, will play the Group A runners-up in the second semi-final. The tournament final will be held on 17 November.