Rain sends Bangladesh into Asian Games Semifinals

Bangladesh advanced to the women’s cricket semifinals at the Asian Games without facing a single delivery after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned due to persistent rain in Nagoya on Thursday (September 17).

The rain prevented the ground from being made playable, with even the toss unable to take place. A Super Over could have been used if a 20-over match was impossible, but continued rain eventually ruled out any play.

Bangladesh progressed based on their superior ICC T20I ranking. They are currently ranked 10th in the world, compared with China’s 37th.

The conditions had already disrupted Bangladesh’s preparations, with the team unable to complete full training sessions in the days leading up to the match. Their quarterfinal was scheduled for 9am local time at Koryo Athletic Park in Nisshin.

Bangladesh will face the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between India and Japan in the semifinal on September 20.

Bangladesh have won three women’s cricket medals at the Asian Games—two silver and one bronze—and are targeting another podium finish in Japan.

The abandoned match was also expected to mark Bangladesh’s first official international T20 meeting with China. The teams had previously met in the 2010 Asian Games semifinal, when Bangladesh bowled China out for 34 and won by nine wickets in just seven overs, but that match did not have international T20 status.