CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Nishin. The Indian men’s cricket team reached the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026 without playing a match. The quarter-final between India and Afghanistan, scheduled for Monday, was called off because of continuous rain and a wet outfield. Even the toss could not take place and not a single ball was bowled.
Under Asian Games rules, if a quarter-final ends without a result because of rain, the team with the better ICC T20 International ranking advances to the next round. India are currently ranked No. 1 in the T20 International rankings, while Afghanistan are placed 10th. On that basis, India secured a place in the semifinals.
India will now face the winner of the quarter-final between Sri Lanka and Nepal in the men’s cricket semifinal on October 1. India are the reigning gold medallists in men’s cricket at the Asian Games and will again be aiming for gold this time. Earlier on Monday, the first quarter-final between Pakistan and Hong Kong was also abandoned because of rain. Pakistan also made it to the semifinals on the basis of their superior ranking. Persistent rain has affected the schedule of cricket matches at the Asian Games.
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