Bangladesh Olympic football team played out a goalless draw with Pakistan in their opening match of the four-nation Diamond Jubilee Football Tournament at the National Stadium in Male, Maldives on Monday.
Despite early attacking intent from both sides, neither team was able to break the deadlock, resulting in a tame scoreless draw.
Bangladesh were reduced to ten men after SM Monjurur Rahman received a straight red card following a collision with the Pakistan goalkeeper during a corner situation. Despite being a man down, the Bangladesh side continued to push forward, while Pakistan launched several counterattacks.
However, Bangladesh U-20 SAFF Championship-winning goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon, later named Player of the Match, produced a solid display to keep them at bay and secure a clean sheet.
Bangladesh will play their next match against Afghanistan on June 4 before facing hosts Maldives on June 7 at the same venue.
The final of the tournament will be held on June 10.
Bangladesh team: Mehedi Hasan Srabon, SM Monjurur Rahman, Ismail Hossain, Manik Hossain Molla, Rabby Hossen Rahul, Nazmul Huda Faysal, Sourav Dewan, Mursed Ali, Jahid Hasan Shanta, Abdulla Omar, and Iftiar Hossain.
