KARACHI:

Bangladesh are likely to replace Pakistan in the upcoming men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament, scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29, if the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) does not confirm participation within the next 48 hours, Indian media reported on Monday.

A top Hockey India official confirmed on Monday that the organisers have approached Bangladesh as a standby option.

“The Indian government has already said it is willing to provide visas to Pakistani players, but if they don’t want to come to India, it’s not our problem. Bangladesh has already been invited to participate in case Pakistan doesn’t come, but we will have to wait for two more days to get the confirmation,” the official said.

The PHF has raised security concerns and expressed reluctance to sen

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