New Delhi:
The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup hockey tournament will not take place, as the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to withdraw from the competition. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7.
According to a report by The Hindu, the PHF has officially informed the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) of its decision, citing security concerns as the reason behind the last-minute pullout.
“PHF has written a letter to the Asian Hockey Federation on Wednesday, saying that it won’t be able to compete in the Asia Cup due to security reasons. We have invited Bangladesh now,”
A Hockey India official told The Hindu.
The Pakistan men’s hockey team will not be taking part in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7, a Hockey India official confirmed to Sportstar. @Sportskeerthi reports ➡️ https://t.co/lvjeJ4Hrl4#AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/jvExS7oJio
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 7, 2025
Bangladesh to Replace Pakistan
Following Pakistan’s withdrawal, Bangladesh has been extended an official invitation to participate in the tournament. The Asia Cup holds significant importance as the winner secures qualification for the 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup to be hosted in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Indian Government Was Ready to Approve Visas
The report notes that the Indian government had no objection to issuing visas to Pakistani players and had conveyed in July that no Pakistani sporting team would be denied entry into India for official international tournaments. The PHF had, in fact, applied for Indian visas at the end of July.
However, the decision was reversed after Pakistan’s government instructed the federation not to accept any travel invitations to India without its explicit approval, effectively halting the process.
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Possible Impact on Junior World Cup Participation
The development has cast doubts over Pakistan’s participation in the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, set to be held in Chennai and Madurai later this year in November–December.
Pakistan’s last hockey tour to India took place in 2023, when they competed in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.
Political Tensions Behind Decision
While the PHF has cited security concerns, the withdrawal is being viewed in light of rising political tensions between the two neighbours. Bilateral relations have deteriorated significantly following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which killed several Indian soldiers.
India’s strong retaliatory action, dubbed Operation Sindoor, reportedly inflicted heavy damage on terrorist camps in Pakistan and also targeted the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi, further straining diplomatic ties.
