KARACHI: Pakistan has withdrawn from the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey Tournament scheduled to be held in Rajgir, a city in the Indian state of Bihar, citing security concerns.
In Pakistan’s absence, Bangladesh has reportedly been invited to participate in the tournament as a replacement team, according to Indian media.
The Asia Cup Hockey is set to take place from August 29 to September 7, 2025.
While Indian media has reported Pakistan’s withdrawal, there has been no official confirmation yet from the Pakistan Hockey Federation or the Government of Pakistan.
This development adds to the ongoing challenges in sporting ties between India and Pakistan, where political and security tensions have often affected bilateral and multilateral sports engagements.
