Pakistan through to Asian Games men semis after washout
Pakistan advanced to the Asian Games men cricket semi-finals after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rain in Nisshin. Under tournament rules, the higher-ranked side progressed, so Pakistan will face the Bangladesh–Malaysia winner on Thursday.
Key Takeaways
- The Asian Games men cricket quarter-final was abandoned without a ball bowled because of incessant rain in Nisshin.
- Pakistan progressed as the higher-ranked team in the ICC rankings over Hong Kong.
- Pakistan will meet the winners of Bangladesh versus Malaysia in Thursday’s semi-final.
- Hong Kong reached the last eight by finishing second in Group B after beating Malaysia and losing to Oman.
Why did Pakistan advance without bowling a ball?
According to ESPNcricinfo, the first quarter-final of the men’s Asian Games 2026 was called off at the time of the toss. Incessant showers in Nisshin left a large part of the ground under covers, and no play was possible.
The Sunday Guardian reported that persistent rain and a waterlogged outfield left officials with no realistic window to stage even a shortened contest. Pakistan went through on the basis of a higher ICC T20I ranking than Hong Kong.
Who will Pakistan play in the Asian Games men semi-finals?
Pakistan will play the winners of the fourth quarter-final between Bangladesh and Malaysia on Thursday. Pakistan was one of four seeded teams—alongside India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—that directly qualified for the quarter-finals.
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How did Hong Kong reach the quarter-finals?
Hong Kong finished second in the three-team Group B. The side beat Malaysia by eight wickets and lost to Oman by 41 runs before meeting Pakistan in the last eight.
This would have been the third T20I between the two sides. Pakistan had previously beaten Hong Kong at the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asian Games.
What else has rain disrupted at Asian Games 2026?
Heavy rain and a thunderstorm advisory in the Aichi-Nagoya area disrupted Monday’s outdoor schedule beyond cricket. Sumit Nagal’s tennis match was delayed, and Alex Eala’s centre-court fixture was also under a weather watch after morning rain left courts wet.
Forecasts cited by The Sunday Guardian pointed to roughly an 80% chance of precipitation and unsettled conditions through Monday, with temperatures around 26°C. Organisers will be watching later fixtures—including India’s cricket quarter-final against Afghanistan—closely as weather remains a factor.