India advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games Men's Cricket 2026 after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of persistent rain and a wet outfield.
The second quarter-final was scheduled to be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. However, continuous rain and the damp conditions made it impossible for play to begin.
With the match washed out, India secured a place in the semi-finals because of their higher seeding and superior position in the ICC T20I rankings. India will now face the winner of Tuesday's quarter-final between Nepal and Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on Thursday.
Sri Lanka, one of the seeded teams that received direct entry into the quarter-finals, will also advance to the semi-finals if their match against Nepal is abandoned because of rain. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were the other seeded teams to qualify directly for the quarter-final stage.
Another Asian Games quarter-final affected by rain
The India-Afghanistan match was the second quarter-final to be abandoned due to bad weather at the Asian Games. Earlier on Monday, the first quarter-final between Hong Kong and Pakistan was also called off before the toss could take place.
Pakistan progressed to the semi-finals because of their higher seeding. Persistent rain has therefore already affected both quarter-finals played in Nisshin, leaving teams unable to take the field.
Afghanistan suffer another washout against India
Afghanistan have now experienced a second consecutive washout against India at the men's Asian Games cricket tournament. At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Afghanistan won the silver medal after their final against higher-seeded India was abandoned. The match was called off after 18.2 overs of the first innings because of rain.
The latest washout means Afghanistan's 2026 campaign has again ended against India without the two teams completing their scheduled match. India will now wait for the result of the Nepal-Sri Lanka quarter-final to determine their opponents for Thursday's second semi-final.