Official: Pakistan won’t travel to India for Hockey Asia Cup due to ‘security concerns’, Bangladesh named replacement

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Pakistan’s sports board had ordered that the federations should not ‘commit to participate in any sporting event in India’, according to reports. (File)

Pakistan won’t be travelling to Bihar for the Hockey Asia Cup, the continental body confirmed on Tuesday, ending months of speculation. Bangladesh have been named as Pakistan’s replacement for the tournament, which will be held from August 29 to September 7 in Rajgir.

Oman, originally a part of the eight-team competition, too, withdrew with Kazakhstan taking their spot. The winner of the Asia Cup will earn a direct spot for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hosts India are in Pool A along with Japan, China and Kazakhstan. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will open its campaign against China on August 29, before taking on Japan (August 31) and Kazakhstan on September 1. Pool B comprises defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei.

The second stage of the championship — called Super 4s, comprising the top two teams from each group — will begin on September 3, with the final on September 7.

Bangladesh and Kazakhstan were named replacements based on their performances in the AHF Cup, a qualifying competition for the Asia Cup. Bangladesh finished third in the tournament after losing to eventual champions Oman 5-4 in the semifinals in Jakarta on April 25. The two finalists, Oman and Chinese Taipei, had already earned direct berths for the main championships. However, after Oman, too, pulled out, fourth-placed Kazakhstan were offered a spot.

Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup qualifying tournament had been in doubt ever since the Pahalgam terror attack. In the aftermath of the attack, which claimed 26 lives, the Indian government revoked visas for Pakistani nationals. However, the government later underlined that the hockey team won’t be stopped from travelling to India to ensure the Olympic charter wasn’t violated.

Days later, though, the Pakistan Hockey Federation informed the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) that it would be ‘difficult’ for them to send a team to India for the Asia Cup because of ‘security concerns’, despite being given assurances by their Indian counterparts.

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Soon after, Pakistan’s sports board ordered that the federations should not ‘commit to participate in any sporting event in India’, according to reports. The Pakistan Sports Board cited ‘security situation’ as the reason for issuing the directive last month.

“In view of the current security situation, no national federation shall make any commitment or agreement regarding participation in sports events in India without prior permission from PSB,” the circular said, as per Dawn.

Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Asia Cup also raises question marks over their participation in the Junior World Cup, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.

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