Abdullah Rahi

Abdullah Rahi (; 1939 – 23 April 2026) was a Pakistani footballer who played as an inside forward. He represented the Pakistan national team in the 1960s, and was member of the national squad which finished finalists at the 1962 Merdeka Tournament.

Early life Abdullah was born in the Lyari locality of Karachi. He belonged to the Makrani Baloch community (also known as Sheedi) of African descent.

Club career

Early career

Abdullah started his playing career in 1954 for several Karachi based clubs such as Baghdad Sports, Sindh Government Press, and Keamari Muhammadan in the regional Karachi First Division Football League. In 1958, he embarked in a tour to Saudi Arabia with Karachi Kickers. He represented Karachi at the National Football Championship.

Dhaka Mohammedan Abdullah later represented several clubs in East Pakistan at the Dhaka First Division League starting in 1960 when he moved to Dhaka Mohammedan. He also represented East Pakistan and Dacca Division selections in the National Football Championship.

The next year, he represented Dhaka Wanderers as a guest player and helped the side finish runner-up at the 1963 Aga Khan Gold Cup.

Return to Dhaka Mohammedan

Upon his return to Dhaka Mohammedan, he captained the side in 1967.

Karachi Port Trust After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Abdullah played with Karachi Port Trust.

International career

In 1959, Abdullah was first selected of the Pakistan national team for a tour to Burma. Abdullah recorded the winning goal at the 53rd minute in Pakistan's first official victory over India, during the 1960 AFC Asian Cup qualification. The following year, Abdullah featured at the 1960 Merdeka Tournament. The next year he played against Burma in a home test series. The next year he played against China in a friendly, and also appeared against Iran at the 1964 Summer Olympics qualification.

Personal life and death During his time in East Pakistan, Abdullah was married to a woman of Bihari descent.

Career statistics Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Rahi goal. +List of international goals scored by Abdullah Rahi

13 December 1959 Maharaja College Stadium, Ernakulam, India

1960 AFC Asian Cup qualification Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1962 Independence Day Tournament: Winners (1): 1962

Dhaka Mohammedan Dhaka First Division Football League: Winners (2): 1961, 1969 Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1961 Independence Day Football Tournament: Winners (2): 1960, 1961

Dhaka Wanderers Aga Khan Gold Cup: Winners (1): 1963 Independence Day Football Tournament: Winners (1): 1963

Pakistan Merdeka Tournament Runners-up (1): 1962