On 27 July 2025, Cricinfo reported on its website that the semi-final of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), scheduled for 25 July, was cancelled after Indian players refused to play against Pakistan due to the “current geopolitical situation and prevailing tensions” between the two countries.
Earlier in 2025, when Pakistan hosted the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy after 29 years, India refused to travel to Pakistan, disappointing Pakistani fans who had been eager to welcome their favourite Indian players. The Indian cricket team has not visited Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup tournament. In contrast, the Pakistan cricket team has regularly participated in ICC events held in India, including the Cricket World Cup staged there in November 2023.
In a tit-for-tat response, after India declined to participate in the Champions Trophy in February 2025, Pakistan announced it would refuse to play in any ICC events hosted in India for the next three years. The recent clashes on land and in the air in May 2025 between Pakistan and India have further escalated tensions. As a consequence, the Pakistani government has denied permission for its hockey team to travel to Bihar, India, at the end of August 2025 to participate in the Asia Cup.
After reaching the final of the Nations Cup field hockey tournament in June 2025, Pakistan has been rising in world hockey rankings and has been invited to play in the prestigious Pro League by the International Hockey Federation (FIH)
The Pakistani government had requested security details from the Indian government before granting permission for the hockey team’s travel. However, while India authorised the Pakistani team to enter the country, no security details were shared with Pakistan. When the Indian government approved Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup, it also stated that India would not travel to Pakistan for any international tournaments, although Pakistan could visit India, as India claimed it did not wish to violate International Olympic Committee rules.
Moreover, the recent refusal by the Indian veterans’ team to play against Pakistan in two WCL matches in July 2025 highlights that both the Indian government and its players are unwilling to compete against Pakistan. With aggressive statements emanating from the Indian media, the Pakistani government remains wary of sending its hockey team to India. The last time a Pakistani hockey team travelled to India was in 2023 to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy. Conversely, the Indian Punjab hockey team, which included some international players, visited Pakistan in 2011.
After reaching the final of the Nations Cup field hockey tournament in June 2025, Pakistan has been rising in world hockey rankings and has been invited to play in the prestigious Pro League by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Unfortunately, it is a matter of grave concern that Pakistan’s inability to participate in the Asia Cup could jeopardise its chances of qualifying for the 2026 Hockey World Cup.
The FIH should take into consideration the circumstances that have led to Pakistan’s refusal to travel to India for the Asia Cup 2025. When India is not only refusing to play in Pakistan but also declining to face Pakistan on neutral ground—as demonstrated by their withdrawal from WCL matches against the Pakistani veterans’ team in July 2025—how can anyone expect Pakistan to travel to India, especially when hostile statements and gestures are reported in the Indian media?
I urge the FIH to take note of these facts and ensure that Pakistan receives fair treatment and is not bullied by a larger and more influential neighbour. If anything, sport should serve to reduce, rather than inflame, political tensions. Perhaps wise and influential figures in both the sporting world and the governments of India and Pakistan will use sport to promote peace and bring moments of joy to their citizens, who watch any match between the two nations with the greatest passion and anticipation.