The Pakistan government has taken a major step in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack, as they decided against sending the sports teams to India for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. India is all set to host the Asia Cup 2025 and the World Cup later this year.
Recently, Rana Mashood, who heads the Prime Minister’s Youth Development and Sports Program, said that the safety of Pakistani players is the top priority, and the government is reviewing the security situation for its athletes traveling to India for the sporting events.
No Pakistan team in Asia Cup 2025 as government cites security threats
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had reportedly reached out to the relevant ministries, seeking advice and formal approval to send players for the upcoming tournaments in India. The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is crucial, as it also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
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But the Pakistan government reportedly raised security concerns for Pakistani nationals crossing the border, and now their participation in next month’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament is under serious doubt. The Pakistan hockey team has reportedly been denied clearance to travel to India for the Asia Cup.
Notably, Hockey Asia Cup 2025 will be held in India’s Rajgir from 27 August to 7 September 2025, and FIH Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 will be hosted at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu from 28 November to 10 December 2025.
Pakistan decides not to send the Hockey Team to India for the Asia Cup
Meanwhile, in a major development, Pakistan has decided not to send its hockey team to India for the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup, according to top government sources. The decision has been taken keeping in mind the ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
However, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has not yet released an official statement regarding the government call, but given the strained relations between India and Pakistan, the government felt the situation was not safe for the nationals to cross the border for any sporting activity.
Pakistan will not send its hockey team to India for next month’s Asia Cup: government sources
— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) July 11, 2025
India may shift the Asia Cup 2025 venue due to strained relations with Pakistan
On the other hand, India is also the official host of the Asia Cup 2025, and they may soon request a change in venue due to the ongoing issues between India and Pakistan. According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, both countries have agreed not to send their cricket teams to each other’s soil, leading to uncertainty over the location for the subcontinental T20 tournament.
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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has already reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ask if they want to shift the tournament to a neutral venue. However, the BCCI has not yet responded. If the BCCI agrees, the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup could move out of India and be held at a neutral venue, just like the hybrid model used in previous editions.
It is also being said that the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have decided not to attend the ACC meeting scheduled to take place in Dhaka on July 24. The main agenda in the meeting will be planning and venue discussion for the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup.
