Zafar Iqbal Baloch (born 3 February 1965) is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career, managing the team in the 2010s. Iqbal captained the Pakistan national team in the 1987 South Asian Games and the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup, helping the national side achieve the bronze medal in 1987.[1][2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Zafar Iqbal Baloch | ||
| Date of birth | 3 February 1965 | ||
| Place of birth | Karachi, Pakistan | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Pakistan Airlines | |||
| 1992–1993 | → Wohaib (loan) | ||
| International career | |||
| 1986–1995 | Pakistan | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 2015–2019 | Pakistan Airlines | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
editIqbal played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career at the National Football Championship. He was also borrowed by Wohaib FC to take part in the 1992–93 Asian Club Championship.[1]
International career
editIqbal made his international debut with Pakistan at the 1986 Fajr International Tournament in Tehran. He started against Poland under-21 team losing by 0–3, and played against Iran where he got a red card at the 43rd minute in the eventual 0–1 defeat.[3] Iqbal captained the national team at the 1987 South Asian Games in India, helping the team achieve the bronze medal.[1]
In 1989, he was regular starter at the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification in the country's first participation in the tournament, featuring in all the four games.[4] He also featured in the 1990 Asian Games.[5] He captained the national team at the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup.[6][2][7][8] He also featured in Pakistan's second participation at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification in 1993, playing in all eight matches where Pakistan again ended up unsuccessful.[9] He made more than 20 appearances for the national team throughout his career.[10]
Coaching career
editAfter his retirement as player, Iqbal served as manager and coach of the Pakistan Airlines football team.[11][12][13] He replaced former PIA coach Shamim Khan in 2015.[14]
Career Statistics
editInternational goals
edit- Note: Exact figures of Pakistani players before 1989 are not yet known and yet to be researched. Below are goals recorded.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 March 1995 | Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka |  Bangladesh
|
1–0 | 1–0 | 1995 South Asian Gold Cup | [15] |
Honours
editPakistan
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Ahsan, Ali (2010-12-23). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part III". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b "SPORTS WORLD: End to gloomy era of Pakistan football in sight". Brecorder. 2006-11-18. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "1986 Fajr International Tournament". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "International Matches 1989 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "International Matches 1990 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 15 October 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "PFF president praised for giving boost to football". Brecorder. 2007-09-21. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "AFC coaches' seminar concludes". DAWN.COM. 2008-07-03. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Ex-skippers hail football team". The Nation. 2009-12-09. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "International Matches 1993 - Asia". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Zafar Iqbal (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ natasha.raheel (2016-10-21). "All-Pakistan Football Challenge Cup: PIA upset PAF 2-0 to claim title". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ natasha.raheel (2016-02-06). "PIA's football club may shut down due to crisis". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-08-13. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Local coaches attend AFC course". DAWN.COM. 2006-09-23. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Dividend for K-Electric, at last | Sports | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Pakistan vs. Bangladesh". www.national-football-teams.com. Archived from the original on 2024-08-07. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
External links
edit- Zafar Iqbal at National-Football-Teams.com