ISLAMABAD: Pakistan secured their maiden victory in the FIFA World Cup qualifying round, defeating Cambodia with a 1-0 scoreline in the second leg at Islamabad’s Jinnah Stadium on Tuesday.
Harun Hamid was the hero, scoring the winning goal for Pakistan as they triumphed over Cambodia, earning a place in the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The previous encounter on October 12 was a hard-fought goalless draw in the away-leg match between Pakistan and Cambodia, which took place at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
During both matches, both teams relentlessly attacked each other’s goals, making valiant efforts to take the lead. However, they were unable to find the back of the net in either of the halves, resulting in a 0-0 tie.
Significantly, the second leg marked Pakistan’s first time hosting a World Cup Qualifier in 12 years, with the last occasion being in 2011.
Key Players Of Pakistan Battle Viral Infection, Delivering A Major Setback For ICC World Cup
Meanwhile, in cricket, a viral chest infection has thrown Pakistan’s national cricket team’s preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 into disarray, creating concerns and disruptions on their journey to the tournament, with several key players affected.
Sources close to the team have disclosed that a severe chest infection has affected four to five players, leading to high fevers and illness.
Usama Mir is one of the affected players and has been in quarantine for the last five days. Fortunately, all medical tests, including those for COVID-19 and dengue, produced negative results. Mir has now made a notable recovery and is reportedly available for selection.
Reports indicate that Shaheen Shah Afridi contracted a viral bacterial infection and sought medical treatment, including receiving antibiotic drips, to aid in his recovery.
Abdullah Shafique also experienced a severe high fever, with doctors currently assessing his condition.
Furthermore, Zaman Khan joined the list of those affected by a viral infection, exacerbating the team’s challenges.
In the midst of these difficulties, the National Team’s media manager has revealed that several cricketers, including Mir, are showing signs of improvement and are on the path to recovery.
Furthermore, the seriousness of the situation became apparent as the national players’ health issues led to the cancellation of today’s scheduled practice session.
Additionally, it remains uncertain how this unforeseen setback will impact Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, which is just around the corner
