Bangladesh, Kazakhstan replace Pakistan, Oman for Asia Cup mens hockey in India
PTI
Last Updated:
New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) Bangladesh and Kazakhstan have replaced Pakistan and Oman for the men's Asia Cup hockey tournament to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 as per the schedule released on Tuesday.
Hosts India have drawn China, Japan and Kazakhstan in Pool A, while Pool B comprises Malaysia, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh.
Malaysia and Bangladesh will get the continental tournament underway with their opening fixture on August 29 before India play China in the first day's last game.
The final, third-place match and 5/6th place classification games are scheduled on September 7.
The Indian government had said that it would provide visas to the Pakistani players for the tournament, but the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has refused to travel, citing security concerns.
The organisers had in advance approached Bangladesh to fill up Pakistan's place in the eight-team tournament.
Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup — a qualifying tournament for the 2026 World Cup — was uncertain after the military confrontation with India following the Pahalgam terror attack.
India had launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure in Pakistan after the terrorist attack that killed 26 people. PTI AH AH PDS PDS
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments
First Published:
August 19, 2025, 15:15 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Loading comments...
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Axar Patel deserves ‘explanation' for T20I vice-captaincy being snatched: 'Hope he didn't come to know in press'
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif reckons Axar Patel is owed an 'explanation' after the T20I vice-captaincy was snatched from him and given to Shubman Gill for the upcoming eight-team Asia Cup. The All India Men's Senior Selection Committee on Tuesday unveiled the 15-member squad for the tournament, beginning September 9. Axar, who was the vice-captain for India's last T20I assignment—the five-match series against England earlier this year—is no longer Suryakumar Yadav's deputy, as the all-important position has now been given to Gill. Axar Patel is no longer the vice-captain in T20Is. (PTI) Gill, who is the Test captain, makes his way to India's T20I setup after more than a year. He last played a T20I in 2024 against Sri Lanka. However, he was never dropped from the team as he was rested to keep him fit for the Test and ODI assignments. It must be mentioned that Gill was the vice-captain in the series against Sri Lanka last year, and Axar was only elevated to this role in the 25-year-old's absence. Also Read: India's squad for Asia Cup 2025: Ajit Agarkar's 5 big announcements that threw pleasant surprises amid some tough calls However, Kaif believes Axar has done no wrong and deserves to know what really happened to his leadership role. He also hopes that the selectors and Axar communicated about the vice-captaincy being taken away. 'I hope Axar Patel was informed about his removal from vice-captaincy in advance, and he didn't come to know about it from the press conference. Axar did no wrong, so he deserves an explanation,' Kaif wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Axar Patel has played 71 T20Is, scoring 535 runs and taking 71 wickets. The left-handed batter is the captain of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, under his leadership, the franchise failed to make the playoffs this year. Aakash Chopra sympathises with Axar Former India opening batter Aakash Chopra also sympathised with Axar, saying it is a bit unfortunate that the all-rounder lost his vice-captaincy to Gill. Speaking on JioHotstar after the squad was announced, Chopra said, "I also feel that it was a little unfair to Axar that he is suddenly not the vice-captain any more. But that's my opinion. Team looks fine though." The selectors left Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the Asia Cup squad. The latter made it to the reserves list. However, Shreyas wasn't that lucky. Jasprit Bumrah is also back in India's squad while Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma are the two frontline wicket-keepers in the squad. Gill is all set to open the batting alongside Abhishek Sharma. What happens to Sanju Samson, only time will tell.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
Prithvi Shaw shines on debut for Maharashtra, smashes century in Buchi Babu trophy
Prithvi Shaw made a dashing debut with Maharashtra, scoring a century against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu tournament. Shaw smashed 14 boundaries and one six in his innings. Prithvi Shaw made a sensational start to his stint with Maharashtra in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament at Guru Nanak College in Chennai on Tuesday. The right-hander, who recently switched from Mumbai, showcased his talent and smashed a century off 122 deliveries against Chhattisgarh on the second day of the tournament's opening round. Known for committing to the front foot and playing aggressive shots, Shaw hit 14 boundaries and one six in his innings. It was one of the better hundreds from Shaw as it came when the team was counting on him to score. Maharashtra suffered a collapse as the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ankeet Bawane were dismissed early. Subsequently, they lost two more wickets and a total of four wickets had fallen in just 15 runs. The team was in spot of bother despite a an excellent 71-run opening stand between Shaw and Sachin Dhas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | India squad for Asia Cup announced: Gill named vice-captain as Bumrah, Kuldeep return Prithvi Shaw plays a responsible knock Realising that the team was in trouble, Shaw played as per the situation and added 57 runs for the fifth wicket with Sidharth Mhatre. Shaw eventually got dismissed after scoring 111 off 141 deliveries. He was dismissed by leg-spinner Shubham Agrawal. This was Shaw's first competitive appearance since December 2024. 🚨 PRITHVI SHAW 2.0 🚨 A debut hundred for Maharashtra 🙇 The comeback story has officially begun... 🔥 Shaw is here to remind everyone of his class! 🏏#PrithviShaw #Prithvi2_0 #DomesticCricket — CRIME MASTER GOGO (@crimegogo40) August 19, 2025 Notably, Shaw had joined Maharasthra earlier this year. The decision to change the team came after he got dropped from Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad last season and was not considered for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 'At this stage of my career, I believe joining the Maharashtra team will help me grow further as a cricketer," Shaw said at the time when he joined Maharashtra, as quoted by HT. 'I am deeply grateful to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the opportunities and support I have received over the years.' Given the early rumblings he caused with his performances at the international level, and through IPL cricket, cricket enthusiasts might closely observe the trajectory of Prithvi Shaw, and would be looking to to witness whether the cricketer can make it to the mainstream again.
Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
ICC Women's ODI World Cup: Fit-again Renuka returns, Shafali overlooked
New Delhi: No surprises, no gambles. Chief selector Neetu David and Co. resisted the temptation to tinker, announcing a World Cup squad that mirrors the one from the recent triumphant ODI series against England. Renuka Singh Thakur will return to the Indian ODI set-up for the first time since her stress fracture in December 2024. (BCCI) For coach Amol Muzumdar, captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her deputy Smriti Mandhana, there will be comfort in the familiarity. The Indian squad is one they know best, a reflection of the core that had been fine-tuned over the past year. Pacer Renuka Singh Thakur's return to fitness and the ODI squad is crucial while a decision with great clarity was made regarding opener Shafali Verma. Shafali, over the past year, had been knocking on the door with brilliant performances in the domestic circuit after her lean patch with the Indian team. She did return to the fold but it seems like the selection committee was not convinced to lock her in just yet. Pratika Rawal, who has scored a whopping 703 runs at an average of 54.07 since her ODI debut in December last year, has done pretty much everything right to seal the opener's spot alongside Smriti Mandhana and it was only fair that they stuck to Muzumdar's word about prioritising her. Stability and consistency over explosiveness was what the selectors sought. 'Shafali played the Australia A series. She's in the system, (it's) not like she's not,' David said of the Haryana batter's exclusion in the press conference. 'We've got our eyes on her. Hope she plays a lot more and garners experience, it'll help serve India in the 50-overs format.' While the Indian batting fared well against England and the tri-series against South Africa and Sri Lanka earlier, the bowling needed a spur. Now, India's spin attack, comprising Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav and N Sree Charani has it all – variety, experience and novelty. 'Spinners have always done well for the team even when we played in England, which is why we kept (most of them) in the playing XI,' said Harmanpreet. However, the pace bowling department needed a shot in the arm. Renuka Singh Thakur, India's pace spearhead, had been out of action due to a stress fracture she sustained in December last year. She was back to her old self in WPL in March but did not play any India matches since then. In her absence, many pacers were tested and rotated across both white-ball formats and some stood up to fill the void but Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud and Amanjot Kaur made lasting impressions. Expectedly, each of them are rewarded with a spot in the World Cup team and with fit-again Renuka returning to the squad, India have their missing spur. 'Renuka has been a precious player for us. She had (some) niggles and was out of the game, but is now available. She is (one of) our main players. This is the main event and it is great that she is a part of the team,' David said. Seam-bowling all-rounders are a luxury in cricket and especially in the Indian women's cricket team. When Amanjot impressed in the Women's Premier League and Indian colours both, it was clear that she would be treated like she is precious. Although she will not feature against Australia in the ODI series – the last bilateral assignment before the World Cup – due to a 'few small niggles', she is expected to be a key player for India. It also helps that she has the backing of captain Harmanpreet. While there seems to be comfort in the stability that seniors such as Mandhana, Harmanpreet, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti, Richa Ghosh, Renuka and Rana have to offer, there is also a sense of excitement around what newcomers Rawal, Amanjot, Sree Charani and Kranti have to offer. 'This squad has experience but also a lot of young blood. They are also enthusiastic. Amanjot being one of them. I am happy for her and have high expectations,' former India captain Anjum Chopra told HT. 'Some performances on the ground are down to an individual's exuberance. Kranti has it, Shree Charani has the excitement. It was their first time in England and you could see that they were thinking, 'Oh I am in England, I must perform'.' All eyes will now be on the team to validate the trust that was placed in continuity and a safe route rather than a risky adventure.
