Muhammad Rasool

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Muhammad Rasool

| image =

| fullname = Muhammad Rasool

| height = 1.72 m

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1985|05|23}}

| birth_place = Charun, Chitral District, Pakistan

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Forward

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2006–2009

| clubs1 = Khan Research Laboratories

| caps1 = 68

| goals1 = 32

| years2 = 2009–2019

| clubs2 = K-Electric

| caps2 = 171

| goals2 = 116

| years3 = 2010

| clubs3 = Karachi Energy

| caps3 = 10

| goals3 = 6

| nationalyears1 = 2006

| nationalteam1 = Pakistan U23

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| nationalyears2 = 2006–2011

| nationalteam2 = Pakistan

| nationalcaps2 = 13

| nationalgoals2 = 1

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|PAK}}}}

| club-update =

| nationalteam-update =

}}

Muhammad Rasool (born 23 May 1985){{cite web |url=https://www.khilari.com.pk/players/football/muhammad-rasool/30 |title=Muhammad Rasool |publisher=Khilari |website=khilari.com |access-date=September 25, 2018}} is a Pakistani former footballer who played as a forward for the Pakistan national football team.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Muhammad Rasool (Player) |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/26041/Muhammad_Rasool.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=www.national-football-teams.com |language=en}}

Rasool won the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) with K-Electric in the 2014–15 season. Rasool twice finished the season as PPL's top scorer, first with Khan Research Laboratories in 2008–09 and with K-Electric 2014–15, scoring 22 goals in 26 games and 22 goals in 22 games, respectively. At international level, he won the 2006 South Asian Games with the Pakistan under 23 national team.

Club career

= Early career =

Rasool started playing football at an early age and later played for the college football team, he captained the college team and helped them win Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly NWFP) inter-colleges and inter-board tournaments. Later he also played for All Pakistan Universities team and participated in the National Championship in 2004.

=Khan Research Laboratories=

;2006–07

Rasool joined Khan Research Laboratories in the 2006–07 season. Rasool scored his first league goal on 14 December 2006 against Wohaib, scoring the opening goal in the 34th minute in a 3–0 victory. On 19 January 2007, Rasool scored the winner for Khan Research Laboratories against National Bank, scoring in the 66th minute as Khan Research Laboratories won the game 2–1. Rasool ended the season with 2 goals in 16 appearances.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki06.html |title=Pakistan 2006/07 (National Tournaments) |last=Ali Wahidi |first=Syed Akber |date=August 2, 2007 |website=RSSSF |access-date=January 7, 2019}}

;2007–08

Rasool scored his team's fourth goal in the opening match of 2007–08 season in a 4–0 win over Wohaib. On 3 November 2007, Rasool scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Khan Research Laboratories defeated PMC Athletico 1–0. Rasool scored against Pakistan Television on 11 November 2007, scoring the opening goal in the 2nd minute of the game. On 26 December 2007, Rasool scored his first hat-trick against National Bank, scoring in the 4th, 42nd and 49th minutes. In the first game of 2008 on 1 January 2008, Rasool scored a brace in a 2–0 win over Karachi Port Trust, Rasool scored in the 31st and 80th minutes, ending the season with 8 goals in 26 appearances.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki07.html |title=Pakistan 2007/08 (National Tournaments) |last=Ali Wahidi |first=Syed Akber |date=July 31, 2008 |website=RSSSF |access-date=January 7, 2019}}

;2008–09

The 2008–09 season was the breakthrough season for Rasool, as he won the golden boot after scoring 22 goals in 26 appearances for the club. Rasool started his campaign with a hat-trick against Karachi Electric Supply Corporation scoring in the 37th, 42nd and 56th minutes, as Khan Research Laboratories won the game by 5–1. On 17 August 2008, Rasool scored a brace against Pakistan Airlines in a 2–0, finding the net in the 11th and 61st minutes. Rasool scored another brace against WAPDA on 27 August 2008. After scoring 7 goals in 8 matches in the month of August, Rasool was unable to find the net until 14 October, as he scored the third goal for Khan Research Laboratories in the 77th minute in a 3–0 win over Pakistan Television. On 23 October, Rasool scored his second hat-trick of the season against Pakistan Television, completing his hat-trick in 25 minutes, scoring his first goal in the 60th minute, second in 70th minute and third in 85th minute. Rasool scored a brace against Pakistan Army in a 2–0 victory. On 29 October, Rasool scored the only goal of the match in the 60th minute as Khan Research Laboratories defeated Pakistan Navy 1–0. Rasool ended the season as the top-scorer of the league although Khan Research Laboratories finished third in the league. Rasool scored 3 goals in 6 matches in the 2009 National Challenge Cup, as he won his first silverware after Khan Research Laboratories defeated Pakistan Airlines 1–0 in the finals.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesp/paki08.html |title=Pakistan 2008/09 (National Tournaments) |last=Ali Wahidi |first=Syed Akber |date=July 16, 2009 |website=RSSSF |access-date=January 7, 2019}}

= K-Electric =

Rasool moved to KESC in 2009. In the 2011 National Football Challenge Cup he terminated as top scorer as KESC finished runner-up after Rasool former club KRL. He again terminated as top-scorer in the 2012 KPT Challenge Cup as KESC finished as runner-up again falling against KRL in the final in the penalties. In the 2012–13 Pakistan Premier League, his goals helped KESC achieve the second place in the season, and finishing as second top-scorer after Kaleemullah. He was seriously injured in a match against Habib Bank when, during a clash with the opponent goalkeeper, Rasool suffered serious injuries to his face and legs and remained unconscious for 25 minutes.

In the 2014–15 Pakistan Premier League, K-Electric finally clinched their league title after four years, with Rasool finishing as top-scorer of the league with 22 goals.{{Cite web |last=natasha.raheel |date=2015-01-21 |title=After four long years, K-Electric lift PPFL trophy |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/825351/after-four-long-years-k-electric-lift-ppfl-trophy |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} His performances in the season led Rasool to get offers from clubs from Ghana and Zimbabwe.{{Cite web |last=natasha.raheel |date=2015-01-10 |title=PPFL’s top scorer eyes short-term contract in Africa |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/819769/ppfls-top-scorer-eyes-short-term-contract-in-africa |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} In the 2016 AFC Cup, Rasool scored in the Qualifying Playoff round in a 3–3 draw against Druk United.{{Cite web |last=Agencies |date=2015-08-12 |title=Habib salvages late draw for K-Electric |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1199851 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} He also participated and scored in the 2015 Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup in Bangladesh.{{Cite web |last=our.correspondent |date=2015-10-20 |title=KE lose 3-2 to Dhaka Abahani in opener |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/976323/ke-lose-3-2-to-dhaka-abahani-in-opener |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=The Newspaper's Sports |date=2015-10-23 |title=K-Electric still hoping despite 1-3 loss to East Bengal |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1214880 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Rasool missed international exposure for the next 3 years, as Pakistan was suspended from all football activities by FIFA on 10 October 2017.{{cite web |last= |date=11 October 2017 |title=FIFA suspends the Pakistan Football Federation |url=https://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-suspends-the-pakistan-football-federation-2913299.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011181900/http://www.fifa.com/governance/news/y=2017/m=10/news=fifa-suspends-the-pakistan-football-federation-2913299.html |archive-date=11 October 2017 |website=FIFA}}{{Cite news |last=Din |first=Tusdiq |title=Three years without any football - can Pakistan recover? |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45390976 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628222820/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45390976 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |access-date=2023-06-28 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} For three years since March 2015, Pakistan remained suspended from any international competition because of the crisis created inside the Pakistan Football Federation.{{Cite web |title=Denmark-born Pak footballer dismayed by PFF crisis |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/142535-Denmark-born-Pak-footballer-dismayed-by-PFF-crisis |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} Rasool along with other national team players meanwhile participated with Pakistan during local Leisure Leagues exhibitions matches involving Brazilian star Ronaldinho and Ryan Giggs in 2017.{{Cite web |title=Pak players want payment for Leisure Leagues matches |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/214911-Pak-players-want-payment-for-Leisure-Leagues-matches |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=natasha.raheel |date=2017-07-04 |title=National footballers as ecstatic as fans |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1450208/national-footballers-ecstatic-fans |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

He lastly participated 2018–19 Pakistan Premier League before K-Electric eventually dissolved their football team in 2020.

= Later career =

In the end of 2019, Rasool participated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Cup organised by Ufone, along with his younger cousin Alamgir Ghazi with district football team DFA Chitral, falling in the final in the penalties against Peshawar Combined FC.{{Cite web |title=Peshawar Combined FC lift Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Cup |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/584820-peshawar-combined-fc-lift-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-football-cup |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} In December 2021, Rasool captained DFA Chitral, winning in the final of 2021 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Cup after winning in the final against Muslim FC.{{Cite web |title=Chitral edge Mardan to win KP Football Cup |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/916083-chitral-edge-mardan-to-win-kp-football-cup |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

International career

Rasool was called by the Pakistan under 23 national team for the 2006 South Asian Games held in Colombo, where he helped Pakistan win the gold medal.{{Cite web |date=2006-11-25 |title=Football team to be honoured |url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/220464/football-team-to-be-honoured |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

He got his first senior cap against Jordan in 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifications in 3–0 loss.{{cite web |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2006/10/11/asia/asian-cup-qualification/pakistan/jordan/346933/ |title=PAKISTAN VS. JORDAN 0 - 3 |publisher=Soccerway |date=October 11, 2006 |website=soccerway.com |access-date=January 9, 2019}} Rasool was part of the national team that defeated Guam 9–2 in 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualification.{{cite web |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2008/04/06/asia/afc-challenge-cup/pakistan/guam/635219/ |title=PAKISTAN VS. GUAM 9 - 2 |publisher=Soccerway |date=April 6, 2008 |website=soccerway.com |access-date=January 9, 2019}} Rasool's last appearance was against Bangladesh in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifications.{{cite web |url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2011/07/03/asia/wc-qualifying-asia/pakistan/bangladesh/1100657/ |title=PAKISTAN VS. BANGLADESH 0 - 0 |publisher=Soccerway |date=April 6, 2008 |website=soccerway.com |access-date=July 3, 2011}}

Personal life

Rasool's younger cousin Alamgir Ghazi is also a footballer and has represented the Pakistan national team.{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-11-20 |title=Chitrali footballer makes it to national under 19 team |url=https://chitralnews.com/chitrali-footballer-makes-it-to-national-under-19-team/ |access-date= |website=Chitral News |language=en-US}}

In October 2023, Rasool donated 16.5 kanals of land to build a sports complex in his hometown Charun in Upper Chitral.{{Cite web |last=khan |first=Ibrar |date=2023-10-11 |title=Footballer donates 16 kanals for sports complex in Upper Chitral |url=https://chitraltoday.net/2023/10/11/footballer-donates-16-kanals-for-sports-complex-in-upper-chitral/ |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Chitral Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=Our |date=2023-10-12 |title=Footballer donates land for sports complex in Upper Chitral |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1780558 |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

Career statistics

= Club =

rowspan=2\|Club !rowspan=2\|Season !colspan=3\|League !colspan=2\|National Cup{{efn\|Appearances in National Football Challenge Cup}} !colspan=2\|Asia{{efn\|Appearances in AFC Cup}} !colspan=2\|Total
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan=4\|Khan Research Laboratories \|2006–07 \|Pakistan Premier League	18	1	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	8	1
2007–08 \|Pakistan Premier League	24	9	5	2	colspan=2\|—	21	10
2008–09 \|Pakistan Premier League	26	22	6	3	colspan=2\|—	32	25
colspan=2\|Total !68\|\|32\|\|11\|\|5\|\|colspan=2\|—\|\|79\|\|37
rowspan=2\|K-Electric \|2009–10 \|Pakistan Premier League	10	5	4	1	colspan=2\|—	14	6
colspan=2\|Total !10\|\|5\|\|4\|\|1\|\|colspan=2\|—\|\|14\|\|6
rowspan=2\|Karachi Energy \|2010 \|Geo Super Football League	10	6	colspan=2\|—	colspan=2\|—	10	6
colspan=2\|Total !10\|\|6\|\|colspan=2\|—\|\|colspan=2\|—\|\|10\|\|6
rowspan=7\|K-Electric \|2010–11 \|Pakistan Premier League	25	9	6	5	colspan=2\|—	31	14
2011–12 \|Pakistan Premier League	30	19	6	10	colspan=2\|—	36	29
2012–13 \|Pakistan Premier League	30	25	6	3	colspan=2\|—	36	28
2013–14 \|Pakistan Premier League	30	24	6	2	colspan=2\|—	36	26
2014–15 \|Pakistan Premier League	22	22	4	3	2{{efn\|Two appearances and two goals in 2016 AFC Cup qualifying round}}	2	28	27
2018–19 \|Pakistan Premier League	24	12	2	0	colspan=2\|—	26	12
colspan=2\|Total !161\|\|111\|\|30\|\|23\|\|2\|\|2\|\|193\|\|136
colspan=3\|Career total !249\|\|154\|\|45\|\|29\|\|2\|\|2\|\|296\|\|185

= International =

National team	Year	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
rowspan="4" \|Pakistan \|2006	3	0
2008	5	1
2009	3	0
2011	2	0
colspan="2" \|Total	13	1