ISLAMABAD, 10 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Bangladesh are set to replace Pakistan in the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2026 after reportedly accepting an invitation from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), following Pakistan’s decision not to travel to India for the tournament. According to sources, the six-team competition is scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, India. The AHF is expected to formally announce Bangladesh’s participation and unveil the revised tournament draw. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had requested that the tournament be moved to a neutral country or that Pakistan’s matches be held at a neutral venue, citing the prevailing circumstances between Pakistan and India. However, Hockey India rejected the proposal and maintained that the competition would be held in India according to the original schedule. Following the rejection, the PHF informed the AHF that Pakistan was unwilling to send its national team to India under the existing circumstances. Bangladesh’s reported inclusion means Pakistan is likely to miss the continental competition, while Bangladesh will get an opportunity to compete against Asia’s leading hockey teams. India will enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2023 edition in Chennai and retaining the title in 2024 in Hulunbuir, China. Official confirmation of Bangladesh’s participation and the revised fixtures is expected from the AHF.