Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Rain Sends Pakistan Into Asian Games Cricket Semifinals
Pakistan was supposed to play Hong Kong in an Asian Games cricket quarterfinal.
Heavy rain made the ground impossible to use.
The match was canceled before any play began.
Pakistan moved into the semifinals because its T20 ranking was higher than Hong Kong’s.
Hong Kong was eliminated without getting a chance to bat or bowl.
Pakistan will next play either Bangladesh or Malaysia.
India was scheduled to play Afghanistan in the other quarterfinal.
Rain could affect that match too, and India would advance if it were washed out because India is ranked higher.
Pakistan advanced to the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinals after rain abandoned their quarterfinal against Hong Kong without a toss or ball being bowled.
Pakistan progressed because they held the higher ICC T20I ranking, while Hong Kong were eliminated without taking the field.
Pakistan will face the winner of Tuesday’s quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh entered directly at the quarterfinal stage as the competition’s four highest-ranked teams.
The India-Afghanistan quarterfinal was also under potential threat from rain, with India favored to advance if the match were washed out because of their higher ranking.
- Who
- Pakistan and Hong Kong contested the men’s cricket quarterfinal; Pakistan were led by Sahibzada Farhan.
- What
- The quarterfinal was abandoned without a toss or a ball being bowled, sending Pakistan to the semifinals.
- When
- Monday; Pakistan’s semifinal opponent is to be determined by Tuesday’s Bangladesh-Malaysia quarterfinal.
- Where
- Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
- Why
- Persistent rain prevented play, so Pakistan advanced on the basis of their higher ICC T20I ranking.
- Competition
- Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket
- Abandoned match
- Pakistan vs Hong Kong quarterfinal
- Match status
- Called off without a toss or a ball being bowled
- Pakistan’s next opponent
- Winner of Bangladesh vs Malaysia
- Pakistan’s captain
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Ranking detail
- Pakistan advanced because of their higher ICC T20I ranking
- Hong Kong group record
- One win and one defeat; they finished second in Group B with two points
Sources
Asian Games 2026: Who will Sahibzada Farhan-led Pakistan face in men's cricket semifinal?
Asian Games 2026: Pakistan Advance To Cricket Semifinal After Relentless Rain Washes Out Hong Kong Quarterfinal | Video
