Despite not qualifying through the AHF Cup in April, the Bangladesh national hockey team are likely to get an opportunity to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup, replacing Pakistan, who may withdraw due to security concerns. The eight-team Asia Cup is scheduled to take place from August 29 to September 7 in Bihar, India. The tournament was originally supposed to feature the top two finishers from April’s AHF Cup — Oman and Chinese Taipei — alongside six automatic qualifiers: India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and China. However, recent international media reports suggested that Pakistan government unwilling to send teams to India in either of the tournaments to be held this year in that country – the Asia Cup and the FIH Junior World Cup. Bangladesh finished third in the AHF Cup after losing to Oman in the semifinals, marking the first time in 43 years that the four-time champions failed to secure an Asia Cup berth. Post navigation Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star