PHF welcomes reports of India allowing Pak for Asia Cup
Pakistan hockey officials and team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt have welcomed reports from India suggesting their national team will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Asia Cup, but stressed that any participation will hinge on approval from Islamabad.
Indian media, citing sports ministry sources, reported that Pakistan's hockey team will face no hurdles in travelling to India for the tournament, scheduled in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7.
According to the Press Trust of India, the Indian sports ministry has already secured permissions from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs, Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) learnt on Friday.
The Asia Cup is a crucial event for Pakistan hockey, serving as a qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Rana Mujahid struck a cautiously optimistic note when speaking to Telecom Asia Sport. "We have to wait and see to ascertain the credibility, but surely these are positive developments," Mujahid said. "However, let me make it clearour participation will depend on clearance from the government."
Given this context, PHF officials had already written to the Asian Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation, seeking guarantees that players would receive the necessary visas not only for the Asia Cup but also for the FIH Junior World Cup, which India's Tamil Nadu state will host in November.
Pakistan head coach Tahir Zaman said he was encouraged by the developments.
"This is good news for not only Pakistan hockey but also for the international game," Zaman told Telecom Asia Sport. "Our participation will still depend on government clearance, and we look forward to that."
Zaman added that players have been instructed to stay ready despite the uncertainty. "We are planning to hold a preparation camp for the Asia Cup, and even at this stage, players have been told to keep working on their fitness at home."
Team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt also welcomed the reports and expressed hope that sporting ties between the two nations could begin to improve.
"We welcome this and hope to get ready for the event as and when we get the permission," Butt said. Last month, he publicly appealed for the restoration of sporting ties between India and Pakistan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Holder's last-ball heroics level series as West Indies stun Pakistan
Jason Holder of the West Indies hits a four on the final ball to give the hosts a two-wicket win over Pakistan in their second T20I match at Lauderhill, Florida, to level to series at one win each. Photo: AFP Listen to article Jason Holder smashed a four on the final ball to give West Indies a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday, liting the hosts level in their T20 international series. On the same night he took four wickets to reach a West Indies T20I record 81 for his career -- breaking Dwayne Bravo's old mark of 78 -- Holder went 16 not out and West Indies ended a horrid losing streak with zero balls to spare. Pakistan, which won Thursday's opener by 14 runs, will try to bounce back in Sunday's series-deciding T20 match under the lights at Lauderhill, Florida. West Indies, set 134 to win, was on the brink of a seventh consecutive T20 defeat after having been swept 5-0 last month by visiting Australia. Read More: Dubai to host Pakistan-India showdown as Asia Cup 2025 venues announced Gudakesh Motie led West Indies with 28 runs but went down on the first ball of the 17th over, run out by Mohammed Haris with the hosts on 96 for six. Haris caught Keacy Carty for a duck three balls later but Holder swatted a six to end the 18th over, West Indies still needing 24 to win. Romario Shepherd smashed a six and a four off Hasan Ali in the 19th over to leave West Indies on 126 for seven entering the final over. A hard-fought contest ends with the West Indies winning by two wickets. The series decider will be played tomorrow 🏏#WIvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 3, 2025 Shaheen Shah Afridi allowed Holder a run but then took Shepherd's wicket lbw for 15. He allowed newcomer Shamar Joseph a run that pulled West Indies within six runs with three balls remaining. Holder and Joseph each struck for singles and Afridi went wide to Holder, leaving West Indies three runs shy for the final delivery, setting the stage for Holder's heroics. Pakistan won the toss and batted first, going 133 for nine. Hasan Nawaz led Pakistan on 40 with four sixes and a four while captain Salman Agha added 38 on one six and three fours.
Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PCB imposes ‘blanket ban' on future participation in WCL
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has imposed a blanket ban on future participation of Pakistani players in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), citing political bias and discriminatory treatment during the recently concluded tournament. In an official statement, the PCB strongly criticized the organizers for barring Pakistani cricketers and allowing political considerations to influence the event's conduct, particularly highlighting the refusal of the Indian team to play its scheduled matches against Pakistan. Terming the WCL's apology for 'hurting sentiments' as 'farcical,' the PCB said it inadvertently confirmed that the decision to exclude Pakistani players was not based on cricketing merit but rather a concession to a specific nationalistic narrative. 'This bias, masquerading as sensitivity, sends an unacceptable message to the international sporting community,' the PCB stated. The board further warned that politically influenced and biased decisions compromise the integrity and neutrality of international sports. It noted that participation in such an environment would be against the dignity of Pakistani players and could pose risks for future events. The issue was discussed in detail during a virtual meeting of the PCB's Board of Governors (BoG), attended by Sumair Ahmed Syed, Salman Naseer, Zaheer Abbas, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Sajjad Ali Khokhar, Zafarullah Jadgal, Tanveer Ahmed, Tariq Sarwar, Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Anwaar Ahmad Khan, Adnan Malik, Usman Wahla (special invitee), and Mir Hassan Naqvi (Additional Secretary). During the Championship of Legends, the Indian team played only one match and refused to face Pakistan in both of their group-stage fixtures. Despite this, Pakistani players were sidelined, prompting strong backlash from the PCB. Bilateral cricket between Pakistan and India has remained frozen since 2008. The only brief resumption came in 2012, when Pakistan toured India for an ODI series led by Shahid Afridi, resulting in a series win for Pakistan. The PCB reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the sport and pledged to raise its voice at all relevant forums against politically tainted decisions in international cricket.
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
South Africa want promising batsmen to show potential
South Africa T20I captain Aiden Markram wants his team's promising young batsman to use the opportunity of limited overs tours. Photo: REUTERS South Africa's Twenty20 captain Aiden Markram wants his team's promising young batsman to use the opportunity of limited overs tours to Australia and England over the next eight weeks to develop their careers and display their international potential. South Africa have high hopes for powerful teenage slogger Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, the prolific 22-year-old run scorer who first competed in the Indian Premier League three years ago, as they continue preparations for next year's T20 World Cup. "The last thing you want to do is to clip their wings. You sort of want to let them fly and let them do their thing," Markram told a virtual press conference on Friday as South Africa readied to depart for Australia, where they play three T20 internationals in Darwin and Cairns later this month. "I think we've seen on various stages around the world now that they are proper X-factor players and that they have taken to international cricket quite easily," he added. "So, I don't know if I have too much advice for them, besides the fact that they must keep taking the game on and not be scared of disappointments or failures. "It's been great to see their progress. They're going to play a massive role moving forward in cricket in South Africa and that's the thing that we're quite excited about," Markram added. Brevis, a regular in T20 leagues around the world, debuted for South Africa's T20 side against Australia two years ago while Pretorius, 19, debuted in last month's tri series against New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe, scoring 51 in the final in Harare last weekend. The pair are also in the squad to take on Australia in three One Day Internationals after the T20 series. South Africa then head to England early next month for three ODIs and three T20s. "For us as a team it'll be about fine tuning a lot of things and preparing for that T20 World Cup, so a great opportunity in Australia and then followed by England and if we can get closer towards another trophy, that'll be good," Markram told reporters. South Africa were runners-up at the last T20 World Cup in the West Indies one year ago and Markram was the hero of their World Test Championship win over Australia in June. The next T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in early 2026.
