KARACHI: Pakistan’s emerging goalkeeper Saqib Hanif is expected to be signed by Dhaka’s Mohammedan Sporting Club for Bangladesh League, well-placed sources told ‘The News’ on Tuesday.
Saqib, who performed well in the recently concluded Mahinda Rajapaksa Challenge Trophy in Sri Lanka, has taken fancy of the Bangladesh team coach, who also coaches Mohammedan Sporting Club, a renowned club from Dhaka.
Saqib, who plays for Pakistan’s top team Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), will be lucky to be extended a formal offer by Dhaka Mohammedan.
Saqib, who was not picked in Pakistan team for their recent tour of Singapore, had performed exceptionally well in the Under-22 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Riyadh in June-July. Particularly his performance in his team’s 1-0 loss against Saudi Arabia had impressed everyone.
Pakistan have several top footballers who are competent enough to play in foreign leagues but they don’t get many offers from abroad because of their little international exposure and lack of television coverage of the domestic league.
Last year Naveed Akram and Mehmood Ali, both from WAPDA, played in the league in Nepal for Saraswoti YC.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Essa was also extended several offers by clubs in Dhaka and India.
From: The News