Nepal suffered 2-1 loss at the hands of Pakistan in the first Group ‘A’ match of the 12th edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship being held in Bangladesh on Tuesday.

During the match played at the Dhaka-based Bangabandhu Stadium in Bangladesh, Mohammad Ali’s 96th minute header was the match decider for Pakistan.

Earlier in the first-half of the game, Pakistan were awarded a penalty kick after skipper Biraj Maharjan fouled the opponent player in the D-box area. Hasan Nabid Bashir of Pakistan scored the goal.

However, Nepal equalised in the 82^nd minute with a goal from Bimal Gharti Magar.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are competing in the Championship.

Nepal are pitted along with, Pakistan, Bhutan and hosts Bangladesh in Group ‘A’, while India, Maldives and Sri Lanka are in Group ‘B’.

Nepal will play its second match against Bhutan on September 6 and final group match against Bangladesh on September 8 under the SAFF Championship. The Championship will take place till September 15.