Pakistan's Exit from Asia Cup Diminishes Hockey Rivalry with India

The withdrawal of Pakistan from the Asia Cup has left hockey fans disheartened, as it eliminates one of the sport's most thrilling rivalries with India. With the tournament set to take place in India, concerns over security and strained relations have led to this decision. The implications of Pakistan's absence extend beyond this event, potentially affecting future tournaments and the overall landscape of international hockey. As both teams have a storied history, the lack of competition raises questions about the future of their encounters. This article delves into the reasons behind Pakistan's exit and its impact on the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 21, 2025, 03:38 IST

Impact of Pakistan's Withdrawal from Asia Cup

The absence of Pakistan from the Asia Cup has deprived hockey enthusiasts of witnessing one of the sport's most exciting rivalries.

With India set to host the event, doubts about Pakistan's participation were anticipated due to the ongoing tensions following the Pahalgam incident and subsequent military actions.

Although initial reports suggested that Pakistan would refrain from traveling to India over security issues, the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) confirmed this on Tuesday by releasing the tournament schedule, which will take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, with Bangladesh stepping in to replace Pakistan in Pool B.

As the Asia Cup also serves as a qualifying event for the upcoming World Cup, it remains uncertain how Pakistan's withdrawal might affect India's future tournament hosting plans. Reports indicate that Pakistan will also not send a team for the Junior Men’s World Cup in Tamil Nadu later this year, citing similar reasons.

Given India's rising prominence in the global hockey landscape and Pakistan's declining status, it seems improbable that the international hockey federation (FIH) or AHF will penalize India.

Hockey India (HI) officials have strongly contested Pakistan's security claims, with the Indian government asserting its readiness to issue visas to Pakistani players for the tournament.

HI Secretary General and AHF Vice-President Bhola Nath Singh expressed confusion over Pakistan's decision not to participate, stating, "If they are citing security concerns, I can confidently say that security and all the arrangements in India are much better than in Pakistan."

Over the past thirty years, Pakistan's hockey team has experienced a significant decline. Once a powerhouse with three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles, the team now struggles for survival.

Financial difficulties and internal conflicts have resulted in the team missing three consecutive Olympic Games and two of the last three World Cups.

The lack of top-level competition and the absence of bilateral series have reduced India-Pakistan encounters to just a few matches every couple of years, primarily in continental tournaments. In their last meeting during the 2023 Asian Games pool stage, India triumphed over Pakistan with a score of 10-2. However, in their previous clash at the Asian Champions Trophy last year, India narrowly won 2-1 with a less experienced lineup.

Currently ranked 15th, Pakistan sits eight places below India. Nevertheless, they have shown signs of improvement, finishing second in the Nations League, which granted them an invitation to compete in the elite Pro League. Their participation remains uncertain due to financial constraints, but if they accept the FIH's offer, they could face India in a double-header likely hosted in India.

Initially, Pakistan and India were placed in separate pools for the Asia Cup, but they would have likely met in the Super4s stage. Despite the apparent disparity in their rankings, matches between these two teams often defy expectations. With a rich history and heightened emotions, any encounter between India and Pakistan can yield unpredictable outcomes.

For hockey fans who seldom witness this rivalry, Pakistan's withdrawal is undoubtedly a significant letdown.