BD may replace Pak in Asia Cup Hockey

Bangladesh are likely to replace Pakistan in the upcoming men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29, if the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) does not confirm participation within the next 48 hours, Indian media reported on Monday.

A top Hockey India official confirmed on Monday that the organisers have approached Bangladesh as a standby option.

“The Indian government has already said it is willing to provide visas to Pakistani players, but if they don’t want to come to India, it’s not our problem. Bangladesh has already been invited to participate in case Pakistan doesn’t come, but we will have to wait for two more days to get the confirmation,” the official said.

The PHF has raised security concerns and expressed reluctance to send its team to India, despite the Union government’s assurance of facilitating visas. The uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation stems from heightened political and military tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The PHF had even suggested shifting the tournament to a neutral venue, but the proposal was not accepted.

The Asia Cup is a key event on the hockey calendar, serving as a qualifying tournament for the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup. Besides hosts India, the confirmed teams are China, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, and Chinese Taipei.

“Neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh have confirmed anything to us till now. But Bangladesh are the most likely replacement for Pakistan if they withdraw,” the Hockey India official added.

If confirmed, Bangladesh’s inclusion would ensure the eight-team format remains intact, while Pakistan’s absence would mark a significant setback, given its historical stature in Asian hockey.