India to Face Pakistan with Depleted Squad as ISL Clubs Release Players in Stages for SAFF Championship

India will begin their SAFF Championship campaign against Pakistan on November 5 with an incomplete squad, as Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have agreed to release only some players before the FIFA international window opens on November 9.

According to RevSportz, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reached an arrangement with clubs to ensure India participate in the tournament as scheduled, despite difficulties securing player releases while the domestic season is underway.

“The clubs will release some of the players for the first game, which is against Pakistan. The rest will join before the second game, which falls inside the international window,” an AIFF source told RevSportz.

This means India will not have all their intended SAFF players available for the opening match against Pakistan. The remaining players are expected to join before India's second group-stage fixture against the Maldives on November 11, when the FIFA window will already be underway.

India's SAFF campaign will be led by Naushad Moosa, while the country's first-choice senior team is scheduled to travel to New Zealand for friendlies on November 12 and 15. The scheduling clash has forced the AIFF to manage its two international assignments alongside ongoing club commitments.

Pakistan Also Face Key Absences

Pakistan will also enter the tournament without several important players because of club commitments.

Otis Khan and Harun Hamid will miss the tournament, while captain Abdullah Iqbal, defender Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan and Abdul Samad Arshad are expected to miss the group stage. These four overseas-based players are expected to become available for the semi-finals after the FIFA international window opens on November 9.

The absence of Iqbal and Suliman will be particularly significant for Pakistan's defensive options, while the other overseas players would provide additional depth if they join for the knockout rounds.

Pakistan face India on November 5 before taking on the Maldives on November 8. The top two teams from Group B will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for November 14.

With India receiving players in stages and Pakistan also missing several key names, the opening match in Dhaka will present an early test of how effectively both sides can organise their available squads.