Pakistan advanced to the Asian Games men’s cricket semi-finals on Monday after persistent rain washed out their quarter-final against Hong Kong, China, in Nisshin, Japan.
The match at Korogi Sports Park was abandoned without a toss or a ball being bowled. Pakistan progressed to the last four because of their higher ICC ranking under the tournament playing conditions.
The result ended Hong Kong’s campaign without Pakistan having to take the field in their first match of the tournament.
Pakistan had earned direct entry into the knockout stage alongside India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka because of their rankings. The Asian Games men’s competition features 10 teams, with the lower-seeded sides competing in two preliminary groups before the quarter-finals.
Rain sends Pakistan into last four
Hong Kong reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group B behind Malaysia.
They opened their campaign with an eight-wicket defeat against Malaysia but recovered to beat Oman by 41 runs. Hong Kong posted 121 for eight before restricting Oman to 80 for six.
Malaysia topped Group B with three points, while Hong Kong finished with two. The Malaysia-Oman group match was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain, confirming Malaysia and Hong Kong’s places in the quarter-finals.
Wet weather continued to affect the competition on Monday. India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan was also abandoned, allowing the higher-seeded Indian side to advance.
Pakistan arrived in Japan after completing their preparations in Karachi. The PCB had scheduled training sessions, a T20 practice match and a centre-wicket scenario session before the team’s departure on September 24.
Their training in Nisshin on Sunday was also affected by overnight rain and a wet outfield.
Before the quarter-final, captain Sahibzada Farhan stressed that Pakistan needed to remain prepared for changing conditions.
“Every match is important for us. We will focus on our first match and take every game seriously,” Farhan said.
Pakistan await semi-final opponent
Pakistan will now face the winner of the Bangladesh-Malaysia quarter-final, scheduled for Tuesday, September 29. Both semi-finals will take place at Korogi Sports Park on Thursday, October 1.
The bronze-medal match and gold-medal final are scheduled for Saturday, October 3.
Sahibzada Farhan leads Pakistan’s 15-member squad, with Abdul Samad serving as vice-captain. Mike Hesson is the head coach.
