India and Pakistan have advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Games cricket competition after rain forced the abandonment of both their respective quarterfinal matches in Nisshin, Japan.
Neither team was required to take the field, as persistent rain and wet playing conditions prevented the quarterfinals from getting underway. With both sides ranked higher than their respective opponents in the ICC rankings, India and Pakistan secured direct passage to the next stage of the tournament.
Rain Ends Pakistan’s Quarterfinal Without a Toss
Pakistan were scheduled to face Hong Kong, China, in the opening quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The match was planned as a morning fixture, but continuous rainfall made it impossible for the game to begin.
The officials eventually called off the contest without a toss being conducted. As Pakistan held a higher position in the ICC rankings, they were awarded progression to the semifinals, while Hong Kong, China were eliminated from the competition.
Pakistan entered the knockout stage as the sixth-ranked team in the ICC rankings. Their superior ranking proved decisive after the weather prevented both sides from competing for a place in the last four.
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India’s Quarterfinal Also Abandoned
India were scheduled to play Afghanistan in the afternoon quarterfinal at the same venue. However, the wet conditions continued, leaving the ground unsuitable for play.
The match was called off before the toss, meaning India also progressed without playing a single delivery in the knockout round.
India are ranked number one in the ICC rankings and therefore advanced to the semifinals ahead of Afghanistan. The result brought Afghanistan’s campaign to an end, despite the team reaching the quarterfinal stage.
The back-to-back washouts meant that both top-ranked teams moved forward without having to negotiate a competitive quarterfinal.
India Await Sri Lanka-Nepal Winner
India will now face the winner of the third quarterfinal between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
That contest will determine India’s opponent in the semifinal. With the quarterfinal between India and Afghanistan abandoned, the Indian team will have to wait for the outcome of the remaining match before finalising its next assignment.
India’s progression through the rankings-based qualification route gives them an opportunity to continue their Asian Games campaign, although they have not had the chance to build momentum through a knockout match.
Pakistan to Face Bangladesh or Malaysia
Pakistan’s semifinal opponent will be decided by the result of the quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
The winner of that match will meet Pakistan in the last four, while the losing team will exit the tournament.
Like India, Pakistan advanced after their quarterfinal was abandoned because of the weather. Their position in the ICC rankings ensured that they moved into the semifinal stage despite not playing against Hong Kong, China.
Weather Disrupts Asian Games Knockout Stage
The two abandoned quarterfinals have significantly affected the knockout schedule of the Asian Games cricket competition.
Both India and Pakistan had been expected to compete in their respective quarterfinal matches, but the persistent rain in Nisshin prevented either contest from taking place. With no toss held in either game, the higher-ranked teams progressed under the tournament’s qualification conditions.
Afghanistan and Hong Kong, China have consequently been eliminated, while India and Pakistan will now prepare for their semifinal fixtures.
The remaining quarterfinals involving Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Malaysia will determine the complete semifinal line-up. India and Pakistan have already secured their places in the final four, but their opponents are yet to be confirmed.