Bangladesh৷ reach Asian Games Semi-finals without playing a ball

Bangladesh advanced to the men’s cricket semi-finals at the Asian Games without playing a single ball after their quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned due to rain in Nisshin, Japan, on Tuesday (September 29).

The match, scheduled to begin at 11am (Bangladesh time), was called off before play could start as persistent rain left the playing surface unfit for cricket. With no result possible, Bangladesh progressed on the basis of their higher seeding under the tournament regulations.

Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal said the Games authorities informed the team in the morning that the match would not be played. As a result, Litton Das and his teammates did not have to travel to the stadium.

Rain has severely disrupted the men’s cricket competition, with the other three quarter-finals also abandoned without a ball being bowled. Pakistan and India had already secured semi-final berths after their respective quarter-finals against Hong Kong and Afghanistan were washed out, while Sri Lanka also advanced after its match against Nepal was abandoned.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the first semi-final on October 1 at 9am (local time) in Nisshin. However, further rain could again threaten the schedule. If the semi-final is abandoned, Pakistan would advance to the final on the basis of its higher seeding, leaving Bangladesh to play the bronze-medal match.

Bangladesh had faced a similar situation in the women’s competition, advancing to the semi-finals without playing their quarter-final against China after rain prevented the match from being held.