Update Time :
09:55:46 pm, Monday, 29 September 2025
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The Pakistan national hockey team will travel to Dhaka in November to play a three-match playoff series against Bangladesh, with the winner earning a place in the World Cup Qualifiers. The series will be treated as an extension of the recently concluded Asia Cup.
According to the Bangladesh Hockey Federation (BHF), Pakistan are likely to arrive on 10 November, with matches scheduled for 12, 13, and 15 November at the Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium.
BHF General Secretary Lt. Col. (retd) Riazul Hasan confirmed, “Pakistan is expected to come on 10 November. They have agreed in principle to play the three matches between 10 and 17 November, and we have already sent our proposals to the Asian Hockey Federation.”
Bangladesh finished sixth in the Asia Cup, held from 29 August to 7 September in Rajgir, India. By tournament regulations, the sixth-placed team would have to play a playoff series to qualify for the World Cup qualifiers. Although Pakistan did not take part in the Asia Cup, a pathway was created for them to return to the qualification race, meaning Bangladesh must now prove themselves against their subcontinental rivals.
All three matches will be played in daylight, without floodlights. Entry to the stadium will be free. Riazul Hasan explained the reasoning: “We want spectators to come in large numbers, enjoy the matches, and support hockey. That is why there will be no tickets.” During their stay, Pakistan will be hosted at one of two hotels pre-arranged by the BHF, depending on the team’s preference.
Bangladesh U-21 Team Set for Junior World Cup
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh U-21 hockey team is preparing for the Junior World Cup, scheduled to take place in Madurai and Chennai, India, from 28 November to 10 December. Bangladesh have been drawn into Group F, where they will face Australia (29 November), South Korea (30 November), and France (2 December).
In preparation, the junior side is currently touring Malaysia, where they lost two practice matches against the hosts (0-3 and 2-4). However, officials believe the matches have improved the team’s tempo. “Malaysia prepare by playing against top teams in Australia and China, so facing them helps us grow,” said Riazul Hasan.
After returning from Malaysia, the squad will head to Switzerland for a short preparatory tournament. They are scheduled to play four matches—two against Switzerland and two against Austria—on 29 and 30 October and 1 November. The mini-tournament will include both full-length matches and shorter 35-minute games. Although not officially sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation, it will serve as valuable exposure for the young Bangladesh side.
The Bangladesh Hockey Federation confirmed that all expenses for the Switzerland trip will be covered by the host nation.
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