Both teams had no chance of advancing but Tajikistan were the livelier of the two from the start of the contest.

The Central Asian side threatened in the eighth minute with Ehson Panjshanbe sending his set-piece over the bar as Pakistan had to defend deep to repel Tajikistan’s advances.

Yousuf Butt was called into action four  minutes later when he deflected Shahrom Samiev’s powerful drive from inside the box for a corner.

Pakistan played in patches before a lapse in concentration saw them conceding in the 37th minute when Vahdat Hanonov lifted the ball over to an unmarked Shervoni Mabatshoev, who displayed good control before striking the ball past Butt from just inside the area.

Tajikistan extended their lead in the 65th minute with Mabatshoev sending a deep cross into the box which was deflected into the path of Manuchehr Safarov, who scored with a curling effort from just above the area.

Hanonov then made it 3-0 in the 70th minute when he turned in Zoir Dzhuraboev’s layoff from inside the six-yard-box to seal the comfortable win.

Both teams will now start preparing for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers, with only six spots available at the continental Finals.