Persistent rain and a damp outfield forced India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan to be abandoned before the toss, with India advancing because of their higher seeding.
India have advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned due to persistent rain in Nisshin.
The match was called off 16 minutes before the scheduled toss, with continued showers and a damp outfield making play impossible.
Under the tournament’s playing conditions, India progressed because of their higher seeding, determined by the ICC T20I team rankings.
Rain Ends Afghanistan’s Campaign
The abandonment brought Afghanistan’s Asian Games campaign to an unfortunate end without them getting an opportunity to challenge India.
India were one of the four seeded teams to enter the quarter-finals directly, alongside Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Their seeding ultimately proved decisive after the weather prevented the match from taking place.
Pakistan had also advanced earlier in the day after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was washed out before the toss.
India Await Nepal or Sri Lanka
India will face the winner of the quarter-final between Nepal and Sri Lanka in Thursday’s second semi-final.
Sri Lanka, like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, entered the knockout stage as a seeded team. If their quarter-final against Nepal is also abandoned because of rain, Sri Lanka will advance to the semi-finals on the basis of their higher seeding.
The weather therefore continues to play a major role in determining the Asian Games knockout line-up.
Another Rain-Affected Meeting
The washout also marked a familiar outcome for Afghanistan against India at the Asian Games.
At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Afghanistan reached the men’s final but were denied the opportunity to complete the match against higher-seeded India after rain interrupted the contest.
Afghanistan ultimately received the silver medal after the final was abandoned following 18.2 overs of the first innings.
Two years later, rain has again brought Afghanistan’s Asian Games campaign to an end against India — this time before a single ball could be bowled.
