Suhail Ahmad Bhat scored twice as India beat Pakistan 3-2 in the opening match of the SAFF Championship at the National Stadium on Thursday, despite two Pakistan goals in stoppage time.

Manglenthang Kipgen scored India's other goal as they built a three-goal lead.

Pakistan hit back late through a header from Najib Ullah in the 91st minute and a strike from Alamgir Ghazi in the 94th, but could not find an equaliser.

Pakistan missed a chance to get back into the game in the 35th minute, when Shayek Dost sent a penalty over the crossbar.

The goals were Suhail's first for India. The forward, who once worked as a ballboy, made his senior debut against Thailand in June 2025.

He celebrated both goals with Cristiano Ronaldo's "Siuu" celebration and, like Ronaldo, wears the No. 7 shirt.

Suhail joined the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council football academy in 2017 and went on to play for India at under-16, under-19 and under-23 level. He began his professional career with Indian Arrows and later joined Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

The win was India's ninth over Pakistan in 13 SAFF Championship meetings, with four draws. Pakistan's only SAFF win against India came in 2003.

Overall, the two sides have met 26 times, with India winning 17, Pakistan two and seven drawn, according to FIFA records.

About 2,000 spectators attended the match at the 22,000-capacity stadium.

Hosts Bangladesh play Bhutan in Group A later on Thursday. India and Pakistan are in Group B with the Maldives.