Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium in Dhaka was buzzing today as preparations intensified for the upcoming three-match series between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Media crews, press conferences, and officials filled the venue, bringing life back to the city’s only international hockey stadium after a long time.
The series begins tomorrow (13 November), with the winner earning a spot in the Hockey World Cup qualifiers. Pakistan was granted the chance to play in this playoff as they did not participate in the Asia Cup in India.
| Date | Time | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov | 2:00 PM | First Match |
| 15 Nov | 3:00 PM | Second Match |
| 16 Nov | TBD | Third Match |
Pakistan’s head coach, Tahir Jaman, has withdrawn from the tour due to internal team issues. Historically, Pakistan remains a dominant side, with Bangladesh struggling against them in past encounters. Notably, Bangladesh suffered a 17-0 defeat in the 1978 Asian Games.
Security is a major concern ahead of the matches. Bangladesh Hockey Federation Secretary Riazul Hasan confirmed that the Pakistan team will arrive at the stadium one and a half hours early and will stay at a hotel adjacent to the stadium. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police will provide security.
Bangladesh’s Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman said, “We aim to reduce the gap between us and Pakistan. We will give our best on the field.” Captain Rezaul Karim Babu added, “Pakistan is a strong team, but we have nothing to lose. With effort, much is possible.”
Pakistan captain Ammad Shakil Bhat said, “Playing in Dhaka is always enjoyable. We hope the fans will enjoy the match and support both teams.”