Dhaka: A last minute goal by Muhammad Ali enabled Pakistan to make a good start in the 12^th version of the seven-nation SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 stunning

Nepal by 2-1 goals in the opening Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Tuesday.

With the day’s feat, Pakistan national team not only made a memorable return in the international football after four years but also dominated the Group A table securing full three points from one match. Pakistan also drew inspiration from the match of the recently-concluded Asian Games football beating Nepal2-1 in a U-23 side affairs.

Pakistan played their last international match 1260 days ago in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Yemen. Since that qualifier in March 2015, Pakistan football team was out of the international fold due to internal turmoil.

Nepal and Pakistan have met 14 times so far in international football. Nepal have won five and have lost four matches, the other the five matches ended in draws. Both teams met last time in SAFF championship 2013 playing a 1-1 tie.

When the match was almost heading for a draw, Muhammad Ali Dabous scored the match-winning goal for Pakistan in the 5^th minute of the stoppage time (95^th minute) by a cool header from danger zone (2-1).

Earlier, Hassan Bashir put Pakistan ahead in the 36^th minute from a penalty (1-0). Pakistan got the spot kick when their onrushing Muhammad Riyaz was brought down by Nepalese skipper Biraj Moharjan in the danger zone.

Bimol Gharti Magar restored the parity for the Himalayan country Nepal in the 82^nd minute by a left footer from goal mouth melee, utilising a corner came his way from his team mate (1-1)

Hosts Bangladesh will start their dream campaign in the seven-national regional soccer meet taking on Bhutan Tuesday evening at 7 pm local time at the same venue in in a hope to take revenge of their frustrating 1-3 goals defeat against them in 2016.

Hosts Bangladesh was placed in Group A of the biggest soccer festival of the region (SAFF Championship) with Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan while holders India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka were placed in Group B of the seven-nation meet.

However, Pakistan enjoyed the first chance in the 23rdminute when Mohsin Ali looped a cross at the top of the eight yard box but forward Muhammad Ali’s drive deflected off a Nepali defender.

Pakistan’s joy knew no bounds in the 36^th minute when Nepalese skipper Biraj Maharjan’s push brought forward Muhammad Riyaz down in the middle of the box prompting Jordanian referee Hasan Mahmoud Arafah to the spot. Pakistani forward Hassan Naweed Bashir sent Nepal custodian Kiron Kumar in the wrong way as Pakistan took the unexpected lead (1-0)

Nepal piled up considerable pressure for the equalizer earning three corners in the following minutes and among them Suman Aryal’s close range header was saved with the last ditch effort of goalie Yusuf Butt.

The pursuit continued after the change of ends but the score line remained same till the hour mark. Nepal forwards roamed the Pakistani zone freely but could not find the space to finish.

Nepalwas fortunate in the 75thminute when substitute forward Saadullah capitalizing the free space due to the attacking approach of Nepalhit the crosspiece from 35 yards out.

But Bimal Gharti Magar, finally succeeded to break the Pakistani resistance in the 82ndminute when Sujal Shreshta curved a corner that was headed by Niranjan Khadka in the path of Bimal whose quick left footed placing landed into the left hand post of Yusuf Izaj Butt (1-1), Nepal wildly celebrated the strike.

However Yusuf Butt pulled out two spectacular saves in the 90thminute punching and fisting two fierce drives of Bishakl Rai and Sujal Shreshta saving Pakistan from conceding.

With the match going towards a draw Muhammad Ali headed a home the winner in the last minute of the five minute added time of the match.