Waqar Ihtisham (born 2 March 1996),[1][2] commonly known as Waqar Baloch is a Pakistani footballer who plays as centre-back for Khan Research Laboratories and the Pakistan national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Waqar Ihtisham | ||
| Date of birth | 2 March 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Faisalabad, Pakistan | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Khan Research Laboratories | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2018 | Sui Southern Gas | ||
| 2018– | Khan Research Laboratories | 21 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024– | Pakistan | 2 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:00, 27 July 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:00, 27 July 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editSui Southern Gas
editBaloch started playing for Pakistan Premier League departmental side Sui Southern Gas in 2017.[3]
Khan Research Laboratories
editBaloch subsequently moved to Khan Research Laboratories. In the 2018–19 season he made 21 appearances scoring a goal,[4] helping the side clinch the league title.[5]
In the 2021–22 season, he made 10 appearances scoring two goals until the league was cancelled shortly after starting.[4] In September 2021, he netted a goal in a 6–0 victory against Karachi United at the Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium.[6]
International career
editBaloch was first called for the 2018 Asian Games preparation camp by coach Jose Antonio Nogueira, however he was unable to secure a spot in the final squad.[7] He was called again the next year for the 2019 Asian Games training camp under head coach Tariq Lutfi, although Pakistan ultimately not participated in the competition.[8]
In January 2020, Baloch was named in Pakistan's squad for a two-match friendly tour in Malaysia.[9]
In August 2022, Baloch was called up for trials with the Pakistan senior national team for a friendly against Nepal, for their first fixture in nearly three-and-a-half years because of the Pakistan Football Federation's suspension by FIFA, but failed to make it to the final squad.[10] He made his senior international debut on 6 June 2024 as a substitute in the second half against Saudi Arabia in their 0–3 home defeat at the 2026 World Cup qualification.[11][12][13]
Career statistics
editInternational
edit- As of 27 July 2024[3]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | |
Honours
editKhan Research Laboratories
References
edit- ^ "Waqar Baloch Stats, Info and performances". www.footballcritic.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Waqar Baloch Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more". FBref.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ a b Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Waqar Baloch (Player)". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ a b "Waqar Baloch - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Wasim, Umaid (2019-01-14). "Contentious PPFL season ends with controversially-promoted team denied title". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "PPFL: KRL outplay Karachi United 6-0 - Sport bulletin". sports-bulletin.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Coach, trainer preparing Pak footballers for Asian Games". The Nation. 2018-05-28. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (2019-11-26). "PFF NC announces trials, camp for South Asian Games". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "National football camp concludes". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ Farrukh, Muneeb. "Talented striker Waheed upbeat ahead of PFF Trials". SAMAA. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan vs. Saudi Arabia - 6 June 2024 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Tickets for Pakistan-Saudi Arabia football World Cup qualifier go up for sale". Arab News PK. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia football team arrive in Pakistan for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier". www.geosuper.tv. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
External links
edit- Waqar Baloch at National-Football-Teams.com
- Waqar Baloch at Global Sports Archive
- Waqar Baloch at Soccerway