Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan hockey team pulls out of event in India

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided not to send the national team to the 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup originally scheduled to start from August 27 in India.

Pakistan withdrew from the tournament due to security concerns and was replaced by Bangladesh. Oman also withdrew and were replaced by Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) released a revised schedule for the Hockey Asia Cup after Pakistan and Oman confirmed their withdrawal from the tournament.

The event, originally set to begin on August 27, will now start on August 29 in Rajgir, India. Pool A will feature India, Japan, China, and Kazakhstan, while Pool B includes Malaysia, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Bangladesh. The final will be played on September 7.

The 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup will be the 12th edition of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, the quadrennial international men’s field hockey championship of Asia organised by the Asian Hockey Federation.

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The tournament will return to its usual four-year cycle after the previous tournament was delayed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The winner will qualify for the 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. South Korea are the defending champions.

Earlier in July, the PHF contacted the AHF and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) over security concerns for the national team’s planned tour of India for Asia Cup Hockey. PHF President Tariq Bugti said both bodies had been asked to outline safety measures for Pakistani players during their stay. He noted that players themselves have voiced reservations about travelling, but the final decision on participation rested with the Government of Pakistan.