Zafar Iqbal

Zafar Iqbal Baloch (born 3 February 1965) is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a defender. He played for Pakistan Airlines throughout his career, managing the team in the 2010s. Iqbal captained the Pakistan national team in the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup. He also won gold twice with Pakistan at the 1989 and 1991 South Asian Games.

Club career Iqbal started his career with his local club Mauripur Baloch, and was later picked by National Football Championship departmental side Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD) in 1983. A year later, Iqbal represented KMC and Sindh Government Press.

He later moved to Pakistan Airlines in 1985 where he played for the side till 1995 and winning the National Football Championship twice.

International career Iqbal made his international debut in the second 1985 South Asian Games held in Bangladesh. During his consequent decade long international career where he featured as a regular starter and earned around 45 caps, he only was omitted from the squad during the 1987 South Asian Games in India, and the 1993 South Asian Games in Bangladesh. He played at the 1986 Pakistan President's Gold Cup tournament in the same year, and also represented the side at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. He also featured in the 1990 Asian Games. He also won gold twice with Pakistan at the 1989 and 1991 South Asian Games. He captained the national team at the 1992 Jordan International Tournament and the 1993 SAARC Gold Cup. He also featured in Pakistan's second participation at the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification in 1993, playing in all eight matches where Pakistan again ended up unsuccessful.

Coaching career In 2005, Iqbal served as assistant coach of the Pakistan national under-17 team during the 2006 AFC U-17 Championship qualification.

After his retirement as player, Iqbal served as manager and coach of the Pakistan Airlines football team. He replaced former PIA coach Shamim Khan in 2015.

Career statistics

International goals

Scores and results list Pakistan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Iqbal goal.

Honours

Pakistan

South Asian Games Winners (2): 1989, 1991