Bangladesh to Face Pakistan in Play-Offs in Dhaka This November

The Pakistan national hockey team is set to visit Dhaka in November to play a three-match series as part of the Asia Cup schedule. If all goes according to plan, Sufian Khan and Faisal Qadir are expected to arrive in the Bangladeshi capital on 10 November.

Official Statement

• Lt. Colonel (Retd.) Riazul Hasan, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hockey Federation, confirmed the tour to the media today: “The Pakistan team’s visit has been confirmed. We have already sent them the formal proposal. The first match is scheduled for 12 November. We hope they will arrive a day or two earlier in Dhaka.”

Background: Asia Cup Performance

• The 12th edition of the Asia Cup Hockey was held in Rajgir, Bihar, India, from 29 August to 7 September.
• Bangladesh finished sixth, which did not give them a direct qualification for the World Cup.
• Pakistan withdrew from the tournament, prompting the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to implement a special rule:
  • The top five teams would directly contest World Cup qualifiers.
  • The sixth-placed team must compete in a play-off against Pakistan.

Play-Off Details

• Bangladesh will host Pakistan in Dhaka for a three-match play-off series.
• Only the winner of this series will secure a spot in the World Cup qualifiers for the Bangladeshi team.

World Cup Qualification

• The Hockey World Cup 2026 will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands in August.
• The Asia Cup champion will qualify directly.
• The remaining top five teams, along with the winner of the Bangladesh-Pakistan play-off, will compete in the World Cup qualifying tournament in February.

Key Information

The Bangladesh Hockey Federation aims to finalise all arrangements ahead of the series, giving the home team a chance to compete for a World Cup qualifier berth on home soil.