Lahore, 15 October: International Jadeed Khan inducted his name in hat-trick makers list of Pakistan Premier Football League when he completed the feat in just 17 minutes in 3-0 win over Sahiwal’s Young Blood at Rai Ali Nawaz Stadium, Sahiwal last night.
Infact, it was third hat-trick of the event against newly-promoted Young Blood who also suffered frustration of conceding hat-trick in both legs against Pakistan WAPDA with skipper Arif Mehmood fired the first one on 21 September at same venue and Multan-born striker added the other when Sahiwal outfit visited Lahore and suffered 1-6 drubbing at Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue on 24 September.
Four hat-tricks are being recorded so far in 76 matches. Other in the list is Zafar Majeed (KPT) who shattered NBP defence at Korangi Baloch Stadium, Karachi on 25 September 2010.
Chaman-born Jadeed Khan Pathan made international debut during SAFF Championship 2008 under Akhtar Mohiuddin’s coaching and his skills were appreciated by Vienna-born Pakistani coach George Kottan too who also asked him to wear national color during Prime Minister Cup 2009, 3rd AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers 2009, Thailand Tour 2009 ,SAFF Championship Dhaka 2009 and 11th South Asian Games 2010.
Due to veteran central defender Dr. Muhammad Ali’s fine work at deep defence and striking ability of Jadeed, Afghan is performing the job of Giant Killers in the ongoing event, currently second in the table with 23 points after League Topper Pakistan WAPDA (28 pts).
Afghan’s best display in National event was occurred in 2005 when they finished fourth while they cut sorry figure in other five appearances: 9th in 2004, 2006, 2007, tenth in 2008 and were on brink of relegation in 2009, finally steady the ship to earn 12th slot in 14-team show.
Afghan managed 18 goals so far with Jadeed easily the best scorer with six goals. Abdul Hadi managed three goals, followed by two from Abdul Nasir. Jumma Khan, Moaz Khan, Fazal Ur Rehman, Najeeb Khan are single-goal scorers while they earned three goals against SSGC who failed ton turn up at Taj Road’s Govt. High School Ground in Chaman and a forfeit score was recorded as a 3-0 victory.