Despite India's Champions Trophy snub, Pakistan hockey team set for Asia Cup trip to India

India had declined to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security concerns. Despite this, the Pakistan hockey team plans to participate in the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup hosted by India. read more

Pakistan men’s hockey team was also in India in 2023 for the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai. Image: PTI

While the Indian cricket team did not visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan men’s hockey team is set to arrive in India for the Asia Cup in August-September 2025. The Hockey Asia Cup will be played from 29 August to 7 September in the newly-built sports complex in Rajgir, Bihar.

Pakistan men’s hockey team was also in India in 2023 to take part in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.

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“Any match between India and Pakistan anywhere in the world is always exciting and good to watch. In 2023 also, when the ACT was held in Chennai, the two teams played a good game. And I expect it to be similar when the two teams face off in Rajgir also for which the fans would come in numbers,” Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Apart from Pakistan, the Hockey Asia Cup will also include India and six more teams including Japan, Korea, China and Malaysia. Two teams are still to be confirmed and will qualify through the AHF Cup.

“It is a matter of immense pride and honour for Bihar to host the Asia Cup in the historic city of Rajgir. This is not just a sporting event; it is a testament to our commitment to nurturing sports and developing world-class infrastructure in the state. Rajgir, known for its rich cultural heritage, is now poised to become a vibrant centre for international sports,” Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said.

Only cricket becomes victim of India-Pakistan sports politics

The Pakistan hockey team’s visit also highlights the duality in sports politics between India and Pakistan. While the BCCI was adamant about not sending the cricket team to Pakistan, this stubbornness may also stem from the immense spotlight cricket receives in India.

The same parameters are not followed in other sports. For example, the Indian Davis Cup tennis team was in Pakistan in 2024. In 2023, India was part of the Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle-East Championships (BFAME) in Lahore and won four gold medals.

The Pakistan football team was also in India in 2023 to take part in the SAFF Championship.

As India did not visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, the Men in Blue played all their matches in Dubai, while the Pakistan cricket team will not be required to travel to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

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