Rain has once again played a decisive role in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026, sending both India and Pakistan into the semifinals without either side taking the field in their quarter-final matches.
India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan and Pakistan’s last-eight clash against Hong Kong, China were both abandoned without a ball being bowled in Nisshin, Japan. Under the tournament’s knockout regulations, the higher-ranked or seeded team advances when a quarter-final cannot take place.
India advance after Afghanistan quarter-final is washed out
India were scheduled to face Afghanistan in the second men’s quarter-final on Monday, September 28. However, persistent rain left the ground unfit for play and eventually forced the match to be abandoned.
The conditions in Nisshin remained poor throughout the day, with the pitch under covers and no realistic opportunity for the players to begin the contest. The umpires ultimately called off the match without a single delivery being bowled.
India therefore progressed to the semifinals under the competition’s rules.
The result means Shreyas Iyer’s India remain on course to defend the men’s cricket gold medal they won at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. India will face the winner of the quarter-final between Sri Lanka and Nepal in the last four.
Pakistan also through without playing
Pakistan experienced a similar situation earlier in the day.
The Sahibzada Farhan-led side was scheduled to meet Hong Kong, China, but relentless rain and a waterlogged outfield made play impossible. After waiting for conditions to improve, the officials abandoned the quarter-final without a toss or a single ball being bowled.
Pakistan advanced because of their superior ICC T20I ranking, with Pakistan listed sixth and Hong Kong 24th. The tournament rules provide for the higher-ranked side to progress when a knockout match is completely washed out.
Pakistan will now meet the winner of the Bangladesh vs Malaysia quarter-final in the semifinals. That match is scheduled for September 29, weather permitting.
Why did India and Pakistan get through?
The qualification process is linked to the structure of the Asian Games men’s cricket tournament.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were among the four seeded teams that received direct entry into the knockout stage. Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal and Oman competed for the remaining quarter-final positions.
Once the quarter-finals began, there was no reserve day available to replay the abandoned matches. Consequently, the tournament regulations determine which team advances when rain prevents any play.
For India and Pakistan, their superior status meant both sides moved directly into the semifinals.
Rain continues to dominate Asian Games cricket
Weather has already caused interruptions during the men’s competition in Japan. Several group-stage fixtures were affected by rain, including matches involving Nepal, Japan, Malaysia and Oman.
The washouts are particularly frustrating for the teams that failed to get an opportunity to compete. Afghanistan, for instance, had prepared for a challenging contest against India but were eliminated without facing a single delivery.
Pakistan’s progression also came at the expense of Hong Kong, who never got the chance to challenge the higher-ranked side on the field.
Also READ: 7 Indian cricketers in Asian Games 2026 squad who did not play Asia Cup 2025 ft. Shreyas Iyer
India and Pakistan could still meet in the final
With both traditional rivals now safely through to the semifinals, attention naturally turns to the possibility of an India vs Pakistan Asian Games final.
However, the two teams are positioned on opposite sides of the knockout bracket. India will face the winner of Sri Lanka vs Nepal, while Pakistan will play the winner of Bangladesh vs Malaysia.
That means an India-Pakistan meeting can only happen in the gold-medal match, provided both teams progress from their respective semifinals.
For now, both sides will be hoping that the weather finally allows them to play competitive cricket. After entering the semifinals without facing a ball in the quarter-finals, India and Pakistan will be eager to make their next Asian Games appearance count on the field rather than relying on the rain-affected rules.
Also READ: 9 Pakistan cricketers in Asian Games 2026 squad who did not play Asia Cup 2025 ft. Abdul Samad
