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Bangladesh-Pakistan SAFF semi-final turns chaotic after Pakistan’s 1-0 win. 1971 Liberation War imagery, flares and fire reported at Dhaka stadium.
Chaos At Bangladesh-Pakistan SAFF Semi-Final
A tense SAFF Championship semi-final between Bangladesh and Pakistan descended into chaos at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday, November 14, after Pakistan defeated the hosts 1-0 to book a historic place in the tournament final.
The match also witnessed a charged atmosphere in the stands, with images invoking Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan reportedly displayed by sections of the home supporters. The situation escalated towards the end of the match, with spectators throwing smoke flares onto the pitch and later setting fire to banners and placards in a section of the gallery.
According to reports by Bangladeshi publications, including Bangla Tribune and Prothom Alo, the flares briefly interrupted play, while fire service personnel were subsequently called in to bring the fire in the stands under control.
Photographs and posts circulating on social media around the match drew attention to large displays invoking memories of the 1971 Liberation War.
One of the images reportedly showed a man carrying Bangladesh’s national flag while trampling on a Pakistani Army soldier. Another carried a Bengali message translating to: “Days have changed, the answer hasn’t.”
The displays appeared to invoke the historical conflict and reflect anti-Pakistan sentiment among sections of the Bangladeshi supporters.
The match was played against the backdrop of the two countries’ complicated historical relationship, with Bangladesh having emerged as an independent nation following the 1971 Liberation War.
FANS THROW FLARES, FIRE BREAKS OUT IN GALLERY
Tensions escalated after Pakistan scored the decisive goal in the closing stages of the match.
According to Bangla Tribune, several spectators threw smoke flares onto the pitch following Pakistan’s goal, forcing the referee to temporarily suspend play for around five minutes.
Bangladesh star Hamza Choudhury reportedly approached the stands and appealed to supporters to calm down. Play eventually resumed.
However, the disorder continued after the final whistle. Bangla Tribune reported that angry spectators set fire to banners and placards in one section of the gallery, prompting fire service personnel to intervene and bring the blaze under control.
The publication also reported a heated exchange between players from the two sides after the match.
On the football field, Pakistan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bangladesh in the second semi-final of the SAFF Championship 2026.
Abdul Samad scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, capitalising on a defensive error by Bangladesh goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon to send Pakistan into their first-ever SAFF Championship final.
Bangladesh had enjoyed a strong group-stage campaign, topping Group A with victories over Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The hosts had beaten Bhutan 1-0 before registering an emphatic 4-0 win over Sri Lanka.
However, despite enjoying considerable possession and creating opportunities against Pakistan, Bangladesh failed to find the back of the net.
The defeat ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the SAFF final for the first time since 2005.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Tensions escalated after Pakistan scored a decisive 86th-minute goal to defeat hosts Bangladesh 1-0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Spectators threw smoke flares onto the pitch, interrupting play for about five minutes, and later set fire to banners and placards in the gallery after the final whistle.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
November 15, 2026, 06:53 IST
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