Muhammad Adil

Muhammad Adil
Adil with Dordoi Bishkek in 2015
Personal information
Full name Muhammad Adil Iqbal
Date of birth (1992-07-09) 9 July 1992 (age 31)
Place of birth Bahawalpur, Pakistan[1]
Height 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Winger / Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Lyallpur FC
Number 21
Youth career
2004–2009 Young Blood FC Bahawalpur
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Pak Elektron 25 (6)
2011–2014 Khan Research Laboratories 65 (24)
2014–2016 Dordoi Bishkek 21 (5)
2016–2017 Khan Research Laboratories
2017–2018 Hawkesbury City
2018–2021 Khan Research Laboratories
2021 Defenders 1 (0)
2021– Lyallpur
International career‡
2010–2014 Pakistan U23 5 (1)
2011–2018 Pakistan 26 (0)
Medal record
Khan Research Laboratories
Runner-up Pakistan Premier League 2010
Winner Challenge Cup 2010
Winner Pakistan Premier League 2011
Winner Challenge Cup 2011
Winner Pakistan Premier League 2012
Winner Challenge Cup 2012
Runner-up AFC President's Cup 2013
Winner Pakistan Premier League 2013
Dordoi Bishkek
Winner Kyrgyzstan League 2014
Winner Kyrgyzstan Cup 2014
Winner Kyrgyzstan Super Cup 2014
Winner Ala-Too Cup 2015
 Pakistan
Second place M.R. Cup Sri Lanka 2012
Third place Philippine Peace Cup 2013
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:26, 24 July 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:47, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

Muhammad Adil Iqbal (Urdu: محمد عادل اقبال; born 9 July 1992[1]) is a Pakistani professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger. He last played for Pakistan Premier League club Lyallpur.

Adil first came to prominence with Pak Elektron, signing a professional contract for the club at the age of 18 - scoring six goals in 25 appearances in his first season. The following season he signed for Khan Research Laboratories, where he went on to win three Pakistan Premier League titles, two Challenge Cup titles and finishing runners-up in 2013 AFC President's Cup.[2][3] Three years later Adil's signature was pursued by a leading Kyrgyzstani club, and after protracted transfer negotiations he joined Dordoi Bishkek in 2014.[4][5] Adil played a major role in helping the team win a treble; the league title, league cup and super cup, scoring four goals and making six assists in the league. After being linked to a club of Eerste Divisie in Netherlands, Derby County, and Pembroke Athleta, after refusing to further extend his contract with Dordoi Bishkek, Adil returned to Khan Research Laboratories, winning the 2016 Pakistan Football Federation Cup. In 2017, Adil signed for Australian club Hawkesbury City in a short-term deal, until returning to his former club. In 2021, Adil had a brief stint at Defenders FC in the Sri Lanka Super League until joining Lyallpur in 2021.

Adil received his first senior international cap in a 2–1 defeat against Palestine.[1] With the under-23 team, Adil also represented Pakistan in the Asian Games and South Asian Games. He earned 26 caps for the national team since his debut in 2011, playing in the 2012 and 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification tournaments, 2013 SAFF Championship, the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2018 SAFF Championship.[1]

Club career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Adil started his youth career with Young Blood FC Bahawalpur.[6] The club took him to Lahore for under-14 trials when he was young, and supported him from 2004 onwards. Adil used to work for several hours as a labourer before going to the field to play for the club.[6]

Pak Elektron[edit]

In 2009, Adil signed his first professional contract at the age of 18 with Pakistan Premier League departmental side Pak Elektron. Adil went on to score six goals in 25 appearances, making a lot of assists, in all competitions.

Khan Research Laboratories[edit]

His performances and record made Khan Research Laboratories, the runners-up of the league, caught their attention to sign him permanently. The following season, Adil won the Pakistan Premier League with Khan Research Laboratories in 2011 as KRL set a Pakistan Premier League record scoring the most points in a season in the Pakistan Premier League with 77 points.[7] Adil also won the Challenge Cup with KRL (1–0) against rivals K-Electric in 2011. Later, Adil went on to make his debut AFC President's Cup on 8 May 2012 in a 0–0 draw against Erchim from Mongolia.[8]

2012–2013 season[edit]

During the 2012 season, Adil played an important in the first-team under then manager Tariq Lutfi, who replaced Sajjad Mahmood the previous season; Adil established himself as a key player in the midfield and guided the team to clinch a historic double; winning the league title, the domestic cup and qualified for the AFC President's Cup[2] for the following season – finishing runners-up in the competition losing (1–0) to Turkmenistan's Balkan.[9] Adil scored his first goal in the continental competition in the 77th minute in a 2–0 group stage victory over Philippine's Global and later scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win over Hilal Al-Quds from Palestine in the final group stage.[10][11] He helped KRL to reach the final, which they eventually lost. In 2013 season, Adil won his third and last league title with the Rawalpindi side.[12]

During his three years stint at Khan Research Laboratories, Adil scored a total of 24 goals in 65 matches in all competitions before signing for Kyrgyzstani club FC Dordoi Bishkek, managed by former Pakistan national team coach Zaviša Milosavljević, in 2014.[13]

Dordoi Bishkek[edit]

Adil completed his move to FC Dordoi Bishkek in 2014, joining his former club and Pakistan national team player Kaleemullah Khan, after successful performances in 2013 AFC President's Cup, on an initial one-year contract.[5][14] Since his arrival in Dordoi, he has helped the club win their pre-season tour friendly matches in Turkey and Russia. He played a major role in helping the team win a treble; the league title, league cup and super cup, scoring four goals and six assists in 13 appearances in the league.

Adil made his AFC Cup debut on 9 February 2015 in a 1–0 defeat against Turkmenistan side Ahal in the preliminary round.[15] In an interview with Dawn News, it was reported that Adil has got an offer from football club of Eerste Divisie in Netherlands and that "he will travel to Netherlands in May 2015 to attend the trial to show them his skills".[16] He was later offered a two-year contract by Championship side Derby County after he impressed the manager Paul Clement with his performances for Dordoi Bishkek, but by then he had already signed a contract extension with the Kyrgyz side, effectively ending his chances of playing in the English second-tier till January at least.[17] In 2016, he was reported to have undergone a three-week trial for the Maltese Premier League side Pembroke Athleta, after refusing to further extend his contract with Dordoi Bishkek.[18][19]

Return to Khan Research Laboratories[edit]

After successfully completing the trial for Pembroke Athleta, the move to the club was put on hold due to visa hurdles.[20] In the meantime, Adil reported to train with former side KRL.[20][21] After the move failed to materialise, he stayed with KRL, winning the 2016 Pakistan Football Federation Cup.

Hawkesbury City[edit]

In wake of the crisis of the Pakistan Football Federation in 2017, Adil signed for Australian club Hawkesbury City in the NSW League Two in a short-term deal, which would allow him play ten matches till the end of next month.[22] He returned to KRL by the end of the deal, winning the 2018–19 Pakistan Premier League.

Defenders FC[edit]

In 2021, Adil joined Defenders FC in the Sri Lanka Super League.[23][6]

Lyallpur[edit]

After a short stint in the Sri Lankan Super League, Adil joined Lyallpur FC for the 2021–22 Pakistan Premier League, until the league was eventually cancelled.[24]

Later career[edit]

In 2022, Adil trained with WAPDA to maintain his fitness, hinting for a future move to a league in Nepal.[6]

He also started supporting the local youth in Bahawalpur and Multan, and trained the children at his youth club Young Blood FC Bahawalpur. He also conducted trials for the Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) talent hunt with the Irish Premier League Club St Patrick’s Athletic FC coaches along with former national teammate Faisal Iqbal.[6]

Adil also hinted his focus to invest in programs that can help the upcoming footballers in the future, as his days as a fruit merchant prepared him for the business side of the sport.[6]

International career[edit]

Adil started his international youth career in 2006 being part of the under-14 Pakistan team in the AFC U-14 Football Festival held in Bangladesh. Apart from the under-14 team, Adil also represented the under-17, under-19, under-21, and the Pakistan under-23 national sides. Whilst with the under-23 team, Adil also represented Pakistan in the Asian Games and South Asian Games, scoring his first goal in the 54th minute in a 2-2 draw against Palestine in Al-Nakba International Football Cup 2012.

Adil at the front right with Pakistan national team in Malé during a friendly against Maldives in 2013.

Adil earned his first senior cap for Pakistan in a 2–1 defeat against Palestine on 1 March 2011.[1] He has earned 26 caps for the national team since his debut in 2011, playing in the 2012 and 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification tournaments, 2013 SAFF Championship, the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2018 SAFF Championship.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Adil was born in Bahawalpur, Punjab and was a fruit and sugarcane seller, going around the streets of Bahwalpur with his cart, to financially support his family.[25] However, he used to play football whenever he found the time and thus was scouted when he got selected for the regional team in the National U-14 Championship held in 2006.[26] He eventually impressed the coaches to secure a call-up for the Pakistan U-14 side that took part in AFC Festival of Football in Bangladesh.[27]

In an interview with Football Pakistan, Adil said that he enjoys eating the national dish of Kyrgyzstan, Pilaf, which is a particular favourite of his, and he also enjoys grabbing a slice of pizza or two when possible.[28]

Style of play[edit]

A right-footed player, Adil usually plays both on the wings and in all positions of the midfield.[1] Earlier in his career he primarily played as a wide midfielder. Adil is known for his dribbling skills, speed, crossing ability and his accurate right foot long-range shots from the centre of midfield. Adil has described the Argentina national team player Carlos Tevez as his ideal football star and has been compared with Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos for his quick pace and composure by the local media in Pakistan.[29]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of 22 March 2015
Club performance League Cup Continental Other Total Ref.
Club League Season Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Kyrgyzstan League Kyrgyzstan Cup Asia1 Other2 Total
Dordoi Bishkek Shoro Top League 2014 13 4 3 0 0 0 5 0 21 4 -
Shoro Top League 2015 8 0 1 0 1 0 5 0 1 0 -
Total 21 4 4 0 1 0 10 0 32 4 —
Career total 21 4 4 0 1 0 10 0 33 4 —

International[edit]

As of 24 March 2019[1]
National team Year Apps Goals
Pakistan 2011 6 0
2012 1 0
2013 13 0
2014 0 0
2015 2 0
2018 4 0
Total 26 0

International goals[edit]

Scores and results table list Pakistan's goal tally first.

Honours[edit]

Club[edit]

Khan Research Laboratories[30]
Dordoi Bishkek

Country[edit]

Pakistan

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Muhammad Adil". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Schedule and Results, 2013 AFC President's Cup" The-AFC.com. Retrieved July 12th 2013.
  3. ^ Adil leaves KRL
  4. ^ Package from Dordoi
  5. ^ a b "Dordoy (Bishkek)". flk. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Raheel, Natasha (12 February 2022). "Adil's story of perseverance". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. ^ PPL League Table 2011 season, Retrieved on March 24, 2015
  8. ^ Mongolia's Erchim FC to compete in the AFC President's Cup
  9. ^ "Match summary." The-AFC.com.
  10. ^ "Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2013 AFC President's Cup Group Stage". AFC.com.
  11. ^ "Top Goal Scorers (by Stage) – 2013 AFC President's Cup Final Stage". AFC.com.
  12. ^ KRL aim for unprecedented PPFL hat-trick, Retrieved on March 28, 2015
  13. ^ 21 year old Mohammad Adil signs rare foreign contract for Pakistani footballer, Retrieved on March 24, 2015
  14. ^ Pakistani footballer signs for Kyrgyz club
  15. ^ FC Ahal vs Dordoi Bishkek Match Report, Retrieved on 25 March 2015
  16. ^ Adil offered trial at Dutch second-tier club, Retrieved on March 24, 2015
  17. ^ Editorial Staff (7 October 2015). "Adil sets sights on Derby County move in January [Dawn]". FootballPakistan.com (FPDC). Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. ^ Wasim, Umaid (22 January 2016). "Adil offered trial by Maltese club". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ Raheel, Natasha (2 February 2016). "Adil hopes to inspire Pakistan footballers". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ^ a b Wasim, Umaid (4 February 2016). "Visa hurdle keeps Adil's Malta move on hold". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  21. ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (19 February 2016). "KRL hammer Wapda to reach PFF Cup semis". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  22. ^ Wasim, Umaid (21 June 2017). "Winger Adil joins Australian club on short-term deal". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  23. ^ Raheel, Natasha (20 May 2021). "Palestine situation in heart-breaking: Adil". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Muhammad Adil - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive". globalsportsarchive.com. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  25. ^ Sugar seller fulfils his dream of playing for foreign football club
  26. ^ What does sugar-cane have in common with football? Answer: Mohammad Adil
  27. ^ AFC U-14 Football Festival
  28. ^ Muhammad Adil: I want to continue winning at FC Dordoi
  29. ^ KRL Adil eyes Asian glory
  30. ^ "M. Adil". Soccerway. Retrieved 24 March 2015.

External links[edit]

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