Asian Games cricket: India to face Sri Lanka in semis after all QFs washed out

The Indian men's cricket team will face Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the Asian Games after the island nation's quarter-final against Nepal was abandoned due to rain in Nagoya on Tuesday. The match at the Korogi Sports Park was called off without a toss, with persistent rain making any play impossible. Sri Lanka advanced to the last four by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking, with the island nation placed ninth and Nepal 14th.

The result means all four men's quarter-finals at the Asian Games have been washed out due to the weather. India had already secured their place in the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned on Monday. The defending champions are ranked No. 1 in the ICC T20I rankings, while Afghanistan are 10th.

Bangladesh also reached the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Malaysia was washed out due to rain in Nagoya. Pakistan had earlier advanced after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned, with the higher-ranked side progressing. Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the other semi-final, while both last-four matches are scheduled to be played on Thursday.

Rain has been a constant problem in Nagoya over the past few days. Nepal's final group-stage match against Japan on Saturday



was also affected by the weather. The game was reduced to 15 overs, with Nepal scoring 149 for four before rain returned and prevented Japan from starting their chase. Nepal had earlier opened their campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

India, meanwhile, are yet to play a match in the Asian Games. Shreyas Iyer is leading the side, with VVS Laxman taking over as coach in the absence of Gautam Gambhir, who is with the ODI team for India's ongoing home series against the West Indies. The squad features senior players such as Jasprit Bumrah, along with 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

After India's quarter-final was washed out, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said the players were hoping to get an opportunity to play in the coming matches. "Hopefully, in the upcoming games, we will get the opportunity to play some good cricket and show our game to the people in Japan," Bishnoi said.

Bishnoi also spoke about the experience of being part of the Asian Games and said the players were looking forward to watching some of the other sporting events during their stay in Nagoya. "The Asian Games are definitely a different experience from the other series and World Cups. You get to see different sports and experience them as well," he said.