B’desh’s Asian Champions Trophy schedule announced

Bangladesh have been handed an opportunity to compete in the Asian Champions Trophy, replacing Pakistan in the six-team continental hockey tournament scheduled to be held in Punjab, India, from October 27 to November 5.

The Asian Hockey Federation has announced the fixtures for the tournament, which will feature six teams competing in a single round-robin league. Each team will play five matches, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.

Bangladesh will begin their campaign against defending champions India, who also won gold at the Asian Games, on October 27. The match is scheduled to start at 7:30pm.

The team will then face Japan on October 29 at 5:15pm before taking on Malaysia on October 30. Bangladesh will play South Korea on November 1 and China on November 2 to complete their league-stage fixtures.

The tournament’s play-off matches and semi-finals will take place on November 4. The fifth- and sixth-placed teams will compete in the play-off, while the top four teams will contest the semi-finals.

Pakistan’s participation had remained uncertain after Pakistan Hockey Federation president Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani said last month that the country’s decision to travel to India would depend on the government’s position. Bangladesh were subsequently selected to replace Pakistan in the competition.

Bangladesh’s fixtures

October 27: India vs Bangladesh

October 29: Bangladesh vs Japan

October 30: Bangladesh vs Malaysia

November 1: Bangladesh vs South Korea

November 2: Bangladesh vs China