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Pakistan Premier League

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Pakistan Premier League
Organising bodyPakistan Football Federation
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
CountryPakistan
ConfederationAFC
Number of teams16 (2018–19)
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toPFFL B Division
Domestic cup(s)PFF National Challenge Cup
International cup(s)AFC Challenge League
SAFF Club Championship
Most championshipsKhan Research Laboratories
(5 titles)
Current: 2018–19 Pakistan Premier League
Seasons

note = (n.h.) = Not held

The Pakistan Premier League (PPL; Urdu: پاکستان پریمیئر لیگ) is a Pakistani semi-professional league for men's football clubs. The top tier of the Pakistan football league system, the PPL operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the PFFL B Division. The league has remained inactive since the end of the 2018–19 season.[1]

Since inception of the Pakistan Premier League in 2004, four clubs have won the title: Khan Research Laboratories (5) WAPDA (4), Pakistan Army (2) and K-Electric (1).[2]

History

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Origins

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See also: National Football Championship (Pakistan)

Pakistan's first highest level football competition began on 28 May 1948 as the National Football Championship, which ended with Sindh Red being crowned champions. The league was a knock-out competition, which remained the top football league in the country until 2004 when the Pakistan Premier League was introduced.[3] National Football Championship featured teams representing cities or provinces, including teams from Dacca Division and Chittagong Division from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Dacca Division won two back-to-back leagues, and Chittagong Division won the league only once.[1]

In its early years, domestic football in Pakistan was also mainly dominated by departmental and armed forces teams, which hired footballers as employees and provided them with a basic wage to play for their sides and work full time in the off-season.[4] These government entities primarily used investment in sports as evidence of their Corporate Social Responsibility, with little incentive to develop talent or professionalise their set-ups.[5] Similar system was also prevalent in several countries such as the Soviet Union, and was abolished in these nations after the 1960s.[6] The National Football League era though saw Karachi based Pakistan Airlines with most championships, winning the competition nine times with their first league title in 1971, with their last title win in the season of 1998–99.[1]

Foundation

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The 16 clubs of the inaugural season of the National League Division A

In August 2003, the PFF became under new management, as the politician Faisal Saleh Hayat took over. Under new management, the Pakistan Football Federation phased out the National Football Championship and in 2004 introduced the National League Division A which contained 16 clubs, and the National League Division B with 5 clubs with promotion and relegation.[7][8] WAPDA became the inaugural champions with Army finishing second and KRL third, thanks to the prolific scoring of striker Arif Mehmood.[8]

Pakistan Premier League (2006–present)

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In 2006–07 season, the National League Division A Football League was renamed to the Pakistan Premier League while the National League Division B Football League was renamed to the PFF League. In the following 2007–08 season, the league was expanded to 14 clubs. For the 2010–11 season the league was expanded to 16 clubs.[9] The two bottom teams at the end of each Pakistan Premier League season would to be relegated to the PFF League, while the top 2 teams in the Football Federation League would be promoted to the Pakistan Premier League.[9]

The Geo Super Football League of 2007, also ran as a parallel city-based league to Pakistan Premier League, held in Karachi and saw record crowds at Peoples Stadium. It wasn’t until 2010 with the next edition that the Geo League came back only to be discontinued due to differences with the PFF.[8]

Despite the revamp and introduction of the Pakistan Premier League in 2004, the domestic setup remained under severe criticism due to the precarious and unprofessional conditions and setup, and continuous domination of departments in the domestic competition, which poached talented players from clubs without any transfer fees or compensation involved.[3][10] The teams essentially survived on their department sport budgets, with the players sidelined as permanent employees than as professional footballers.[10] Since the PFF had not made serious attempts to lure large businesses to invest in and sponsor teams, the league had a dominance of department and armed forces teams, which resulted in poor attendances, with the best supported teams being the Balochistan clubs such as Afghan Chaman, Baloch Nushki and Muslim FC.[10] In stark contrast, the Karachi Football League, despite being a regional parallel competition, routinely attracted healthy audiences with the highlight being the 2008–09 final between Shahzad Mohammadan and Nazimabad FC where a huge crowd of over 18,000 witnessed the match at the KMC Stadium.[10] Private football clubs are severely strapped for cash and barely surviving a season.[10]

Inactivity and suspensions (2015–present)

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The league was suspended in 2015 due to the Pakistan Football Federation crisis,[11][12] until the lift on suspension by FIFA on 13 March 2018.[13] The 2018–19 season was ultimately organised by two different federations. Faisal Saleh Hayat-led Pakistan Football Federation, which was internationally recognised, started the league and non-FIFA recognised Ashfaq Hussain Shah group, which formed a parallel PFF, coming into power by third-party interference through the PFF elections conducted by the Supreme Court.[14][15][16]

After the suspension once again from all football activities by FIFA on 7 April 2021,[17][18] the 2021–22 season was initially organised by the Ashfaq Hussain Shah group, who again came to power after attacking and taking charge of the PFF office.[19] The tournament was suspended after a few months into the season and then cancelled.[20] Majority of the departmental clubs were also disbanded following the shutdown of departmental sports in Pakistan in September 2021 during the tenure of prime minister Imran Khan.[21][22][23][24] After Shehbaz Sharif took over the seat in 2022, departmental sports in Pakistan were restored in August 2022.[25][26] As of July 2023 however, few departments reportedly remained active in football,[27] and since then became restricted to the PFF National Challenge Cup.[28][29]

Expected revamp
[edit]

The upcoming season is expected to include only club sides, excluding the departmental teams which would not be able to take part from now on. The expected revamp is followed by the initial first round in the shape of district club championships, which also served as club scrutiny of the elections of the Pakistan Football Federation in 2024.[30] After a second round throughout the country, the district champions clubs would go through the third round at the provincial level, featuring top clubs of the federating units. Following, one or two top clubs from each province and regions are expected to feature in the season.[30] However following the controversial tenure of the interim normalisation committee installed by FIFA, reportedly a parallel short-term franchise based league has also been discussed.[31][32]

Clubs

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Further information: List of football clubs in Pakistan

Champions

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List of champions by season

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For champions before the Premier League see List of Pakistan football champions.

Edition Season Champions Runners-up Third place
1st 2004-05 WAPDA Pakistan Army Khan Research Laboratories
2nd 2005-06 Pakistan Army WAPDA Khan Research Laboratories
3rd 2006–07 Pakistan Army WAPDA Khan Research Laboratories
4th 2007–08 WAPDA Pakistan Army Khan Research Laboratories
5th 2008–09 WAPDA Pakistan Army Khan Research Laboratories
6th 2009–10 Khan Research Laboratories Pakistan Army WAPDA
7th 2010–11 WAPDA Khan Research Laboratories Pakistan Airlines
8th 2011–12 Khan Research Laboratories Afghan Chaman Pakistan Army
9th 2012–13 Khan Research Laboratories K-Electric Muslim FC
10th 2013–14 Khan Research Laboratories K-Electric WAPDA
11th 2014–15 K-Electric Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force
12th 2018–19 Khan Research Laboratories Pakistan Air Force Sui Southern Gas
n/a 2021–22 abandoned

Most successful clubs

[edit]
Team Winners Runners-up Third place
Khan Research Laboratories 5 (2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2018–19) 1 (2010–11) 5 (2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09)
WAPDA 4 (2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11) 2 (2005–06, 2006–07) 2 (2009–10, 2013–14)
Pakistan Army 2 (2005–06, 2006–07) 5 (2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15) 1 (2011–12)
K-Electric 1 (2014–15) 2 (2012–13, 2013–14) —
Pakistan Air Force — 1 (2018–19) 1 (2014–15)
Afghan Chaman — 1 (2011–12) —
Pakistan Airlines — — 1 (2010–11)
Muslim — — 1 (2012–13)
Sui Southern Gas — — 1 (2018–19)

Ranking

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Main article: AFC Club Competitions Ranking

As of 26 August 2021[33]

Ranking Member Association Club Points 100% ACL 2023
(GS+PO) 		AFC Cup 2023
(GS+PO)
2021 2020 Mvmt 2018 2019 2020 2021 Total
41 42 1 +1 Brunei Brunei 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1
41 42 1 +1 Guam Guam 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1
41 42 1 +1 Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1
41 42 1 +1 Pakistan Pakistan 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1
41 42 1 +1 East Timor Timor-Leste 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1
41 42 1 +1 Yemen Yemen 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0 0+1

Structure

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Main article: Pakistani football league system

The Pakistan Premier League is directly under control of the Pakistan Football Federation. The PFF oversees all aspects of the league and makes unilateral decisions over any changes to the format, funding and sponsorship.

Competition format

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Competition

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There are currently 16 clubs in the PPL. The season lasts during the winter months stretching from November to February, with each club playing the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents for a total of 30 games for each club, with a total of 240 games in each season. Each teams receives three points for a win and one point for a draw. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned as PPL Champion. At the end of the season, the two worst teams are relegated directly to the PFF League, while the top two teams in the PFF League are promoted to the PPL.

Qualification for Asian competitions

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The top team in the PPL automatically qualified for the AFC President's Cup until its abolishment in 2014, it was the weakest branch of Asian Football, but the winner of the PPL would later be nominated for the AFC Cup from 2016. Since 2024, the clubs get a place for the AFC Challenge League. Technically, the PFF can nominate any team to represent them in Asia; however, only the team that finished top of their highest league are sent.

Sponsorship

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Period Sponsor Notes Ref.
2009–10 KASB Bank PFF signed a partnership deal with KASB Bank, from 2009 to 2013. However, the deal was cancelled after just one season. [34]

Awards

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Top scorer

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Year Player/s Club Goals Ref.
2004–05 Pakistan Arif Mehmood WAPDA 20 [35]
2005–06 Pakistan Imran Hussain Pakistan Army 21 [36]
2006–07 Pakistan Arif Mehmood WAPDA 18 [37]
2007–08 Pakistan Arif Mehmood WAPDA 21 [38]
2008–09 Pakistan Muhammad Rasool Khan Research Laboratories 22 [39]
2009–10 Pakistan Arif Mehmood WAPDA 20 [40]
2010–11 Pakistan Arif Mehmood WAPDA 21 [41]
2011–12 Pakistan Jadeed Khan Afghan Chaman 22 [42]
2012–13 Pakistan Kaleemullah Khan Khan Research Laboratories 35
2013–14 Pakistan Muhammad bin Yousuf Karachi Port Trust 27 [43]
2014–15 Pakistan Muhammad Rasool K-Electric 22 [44]
2018–19 Pakistan Ansar Abbas Pakistan Army 15 [14]

Most valuable player

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Year Player/s Club Ref.
2004–05 Pakistan Khuda Bakhsh WAPDA [35]
2005–06 Pakistan Adeel Ahmed Pakistan Telecommunication [36]
2006–07 Pakistan Adeel Ahmed Pakistan Telecommunication [37]
2007–08 Pakistan Muhammad Imran Pakistan Army [38]
2008–09 Pakistan Samar Ishaq Khan Research Laboratories [39]
2009–10 Pakistan Nasrullah Khan Pakistan Airlines [40]
2010–11 Pakistan Muhammad Haji Pakistan Airlines [41]
2011–12 Pakistan Samar Ishaq Khan Research Laboratories [42]
2012–13 Pakistan Saeed Ahmed Muslim
2013–14 Pakistan Kaleemullah Khan Khan Research Laboratories [43]
2014–15 Pakistan Mansoor Khan Pakistan Air Force [44]
Pakistan Muhammad Mujahid Pakistan Air Force [44]
2018–19 Pakistan Muhammad Naeem Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority [14]

Goalkeeper of the year

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Year Player/s Club Ref.
2004–05 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army [35]
2005–06 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army [36]
2006–07 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army [37]
2007–08 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army [38]
2008–09 Pakistan Abdul Aziz WAPDA [39]
2009–10 Pakistan Ghulam Nabi Khan Research Laboratories [40]
2010–11 Pakistan Muhammad Omer Karachi Electric Supply Corporation [41]
2011–12 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army [42]
2012–13 Pakistan Jaffar Khan Pakistan Army
2013–14 Pakistan Muzammil Hussain WAPDA [43]
2014–15 Pakistan Muzammil Hussain WAPDA [44]
2018–19 Pakistan Tanvir Mumtaz Khan Research Laboratories [14]

Fair play trophy

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Year Club Ref.
2004–05 Pakistan Telecommunication [35]
2005–06 Pakistan Telecommunication [36]
2006–07 Afghan Chaman [37]
2007–08 Pakistan Television [38]
2008–09 Afghan Chaman [39]
2009–10 Pakistan Airlines [40]
2010–11 Afghan Chaman [41]
2011–12 Pakistan Airlines [42]
2012–13 Zarai Taraqiati
2013–14 Khan Research Laboratories [43]
2014–15 Muslim [44]
2018–19 Not awarded [14]

Criticism

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The Pakistan Football Federation has been severely criticized for its non-serious attempts to increase the quality of football in the country.[10][5] The PFF cites claims of lack of funds from the government, however these claims are largely rejected by players and owners who agree that the PFF was severely mismanaged and corrupt. The league had an "amateurish" setup according to critics, which they claimed did not allow players to develop to the level they were capable of.[10] Pakistani clubs used to be considered as lightweight in comparison to other Asian clubs and defeats in the AFC President's Cup suggest that this may have some foundation. Another main criticism is the number of games played over a short period of time. One team could be forced to play three games in five days due to the congested fixture list.[10] The PFF's attempts to cut costs have led to players becoming exhausted.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Pakistan - List of Champions". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ "FIFA, AFC committed to promoting soccer in Pakistan: PFF president". Nation.com.pk. 25 February 2014. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  3. ^ a b Ahsan, Ali (2 February 2011). "A history of football in Pakistan — Final part". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan — Part II". DAWN News. DAWN. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Sohail, Shahrukh (9 August 2020). "FOOTBALL: A LEAGUE FOR PAKISTAN FOOTBALL". DAWN.COM. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
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  7. ^ "Pakistan 2004". www.rsssf.org. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Ahsan, Ali (2 February 2011). "A history of football in Pakistan — Final part". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
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  25. ^ "Departmental sports restoration widely welcomed". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  26. ^ "Departments reluctant to form teams before NC calendar". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Pakistan Premier Football League must be held now, demand officials". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  28. ^ Wasim, Umaid (25 January 2023). "Domestic football returns as Challenge Cup kicks off". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  29. ^ "PFF National Challenge Cup kicks off today". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  30. ^ a b "PFF considering holding club, departmental leagues". e.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  31. ^ Wasim, Umaid (12 May 2024). "FIFA'S FOUL ON PAKISTAN FOOTBALL". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
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  34. ^ "KASB to sponsor Premier Football League". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  35. ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2004 (National League and Regional Championships)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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  38. ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2007/08 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  39. ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2008/09 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d "Pakistan 2009/10 (National Tournaments)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d Agencies (31 December 2010). "PPFL concludes; Wapda stroll into AFC President's Cup". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  42. ^ a b c d Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (30 December 2011). "KRL clinch PPFL trophy". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  43. ^ a b c d natasha.raheel (8 February 2014). "KRL retain PPFL title". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  44. ^ a b c d e natasha.raheel (21 January 2015). "After four long years, K-Electric lift PPFL trophy". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
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