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ISLAMABAD: Otis Khan squandered a penalty as Pakistan ended its eight-match losing streak in a goalless draw with Afghanistan in the AFC Asia Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia qualifiers here at the Jinnah Stadium on Thursday.
The draw split points between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and both are now off the mark in Group E of the Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Pakistan had ample chances to pierce the net against the visitors; however, during the 65th minute of the game, Otis Khan missed a vital chance by sending his penalty kick soaring over the bar, midway through the second half, in front of more than 7000 people.
The Green Shirts will now travel to Kuwait for the away fixture against Afghanistan on October 14. The winner of the group advances to the tournament finals in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan started its campaign having suffered consecutive defeats against Syria and Myanmar. In their opening match played in March, Syria outplayed Pakistan 2-0 at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan also faced a 1-0 defeat against Myanmar at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, a match played in June 2025.
For the unversed, the Afghanistan team arrived in the capital following a delay due to visa issues, which initially put the clash in jeopardy.
The issue was sorted out due to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s who took notice of the issue after it was highlighted.
“Issued now,” Mohsin Naqvi wrote in response to journalist Faizan Lakhani’s post, “Thank you for highlighting it,” Naqvi added.
The delay was caused by the need for clearance for Afghanistan’s overseas players.
Those players and officials who were in Afghanistan managed to obtain their visas to travel to Pakistan. However, those living abroad had to return to Afghanistan to get the necessary clearance.
READ: Asian Cup Qualifiers: Afghanistan team arrives in Pakistan after visa issues resolved
