Hockey World Cup Qualifiers: Pakistan defeat Bangladesh by eight goals
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- Web Desk
- Nov 13, 2025
DHAKA: Pakistan made a winning start in the Hockey World Cup Qualifying Round. In their opening match of the qualifiers, Pakistan beat Bangladesh 8–2.
For Pakistan, Ahmad Nadeem and Afraz scored two goals each, while captain Imad Butt, Ghazanfar Ali, Rana Waheed Ashraf, and Hannan Shahid netted one goal apiece.
From Bangladesh, Huzaifa and Ameerul Islam scored one goal each.
The second match of the Pakistan-Bangladesh hockey series will be played on November 14, and the final match on November 16.
Earlier, Pakistan announced not to send the national hockey team to India for the Junior World Cup scheduled from November 28 to December 10.
According to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Pakistan’s hockey players will refrain from playing in India in next month’s Junior World Cup.
This decision was made following the unfortunate security threats and India’s hostile approach towards Pakistan in the sports sector — something clearly seen in the three games Salma Agha–captained team played against India XI in the Asia Cup tournament last month.
Notably, there are no hybrid arrangements that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) may have offered to either of the junior archrival teams.
Earlier, Pakistan also did not travel to India for the Asia Cup 2025, despite the tournament being a qualifier for next year’s World Cup.
