Azwa Chaudhry’s hat-trick powers Pakistan Women to historic SAFF Futsal victory

Pakistan’s women’s futsal team etched their name in the history books by securing their first-ever victory at the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship 2026, defeating Sri Lanka 3-2 in an exciting group-stage encounter on January 15 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The landmark win was driven by an outstanding performance from young footballer Azwa Chaudhry, who netted a sensational hat-trick to guide Pakistan past a resilient Sri Lankan side. Her clinical finishing and composure under pressure proved decisive, as Pakistan showed grit and determination throughout the contest.

The victory marked a strong response from Pakistan following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bhutan in their tournament opener. Against Sri Lanka, Pakistan displayed improved coordination, attacking intent and defensive discipline, allowing them to maintain control during key moments of the match.

Speaking after the game, Azwa Chaudhry expressed her gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support and praised her teammates for their collective effort, highlighting that the historic win was the result of teamwork rather than individual brilliance alone.

With renewed confidence, Pakistan now face a demanding schedule in the group stage. They are set to play the Maldives on January 17 before a highly anticipated clash against traditional rivals India on January 19. The team will then face Nepal on January 21 and conclude their group fixtures against Bangladesh on January 23.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s men’s futsal team endured a tough start to their campaign, suffering a heavy 7-1 defeat to the Maldives. They will look to bounce back when they face Bhutan on January 16.

Buoyed by their historic breakthrough, Pakistan’s women’s team will aim to build momentum and make a stronger impact as the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship progresses.