Bangladesh’s preparation match cancelled due to China’s absence

Bangladesh was scheduled to play a preparation match against China before the semi-final of the Asian Games. The request to organize the match had also come from China’s side. But they did not appear on the field at the scheduled time. As a result the preparation match on Saturday had to be cancelled in the end.

Bangladesh cricketers arrived at the scheduled venue in the morning and waited a long time for the Chinese team. As the opponent did not come, Nigar Sultana Joty’s side finally did regular practice session instead of the match. Bangladesh has used that practice as preparation work before the semi-final against India on Sunday.

Team manager of Bangladesh team SM Golam Fayaz said, ‘We went to the ground very early in the morning and kept waiting for them. But as they finally did not come we finished the regular practice session and returned to the hotel.’

Fayaz has informed the concerned higher authorities about the incident as per rules. The matter has also been formally informed to joint president of Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) and chef de mission of Bangladesh team in the 2026 Asian Games Major (retd) Imroz Ahmed.

Earlier Bangladesh was also supposed to face China in the quarter-final. However not a single ball was bowled due to the wet ground. Finally Bangladesh advanced to the semi-final without playing the match by virtue of being ahead in the ICC T20 ranking.

Nigar’s side will face strong India in the fight for the final ticket on Sunday. India confirmed the last four by beating hosts Japan by 8 wickets on Friday. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face each other in the other semi-final.