Saqib Hanif

Saqib Hanif is a professional Pakistani footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for New Radiant and the Pakistan national team. Born on 23 April 1994, he currently competes in the Dhivehi Premier League.

Early life and education

Hanif began his football journey as a forward during his youth. He eventually decided to switch positions to become a goalkeeper. This transition led him to play for PEL FC and Zarai Taraqiati at the senior level.

Career

In 2012, Hanif signed with Khan Research Laboratories. He won 2 successive Pakistan Premier Football League titles between 2012 and 2014. Although Dhaka Mahommedan offered him a contract in the Bangladesh Premier League that year, the deal did not materialize. During his time with the club, he reached the 2013 AFC President's Cup final where the team lost 0–1 to Balkan FT.

He moved to B.G. Sports Club in the Maldives in 2016. He earned a man-of-the-match award during a Dhivehi Premier League match against Club Valencia. Following this, he joined Maalhos in 2018 before returning to Pakistan to join SSGC FC.

Hanif signed for Foakaidhoo FC in June 2019. He later had a brief period with TC Sports Club. After playing the 2020 AFC Cup against Bashundhara Kings on 11 March, his team traveled via Colombo to reach the Maldives. Because the Maldivian government required a quarantine period, the squad stayed in the Sri Lankan capital for 25 days due to a lockdown.

He joined Club Green Streets in 2020. By the end of that year, he returned to SSGC FC for the 2020 PFF National Challenge Cup. He helped the side reach the semi-finals by performing well in a penalty shootout against Pakistan Air Force. The team eventually finished as runners-up in the tournament.

In October 2023, Hanif moved to Victory Sports Club. He helped the club achieve promotion to the Dhivehi Premier League by defeating New Radiant 2–0 in the Maldivian Second Division Football Tournament semi-final. Although they lost the final 2–3 to Masodi Sports Club, both finalists secured promotion. He currently plays for New Radiant.

His international career began at the youth level as a midfielder in the 2005 Asian U-13 Championship. He later represented Pakistan under-19 at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship qualification. Coach Zaviša Milosavljević called him to the Pakistan national under-23 team in 2012 for the 2013 AFC U-22 qualifiers. Hanif made his senior international debut in 2013 against Afghanistan when he was 19 years old. He also served as vice-captain for the national under-23 team at the 2018 Asian Games.

Awards and recognition

Hanif won 2 Pakistan Premier League titles with Khan Research Laboratories in 2012–13 and 2013–14. He also secured 3 National Football Challenge Cup titles in 2012, 2015, and 2016. For Pakistan, he won the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament in 2026.