Pakistan and India remained on course for a potential Asian Games cricket final after rain forced the abandonment of both men’s quarter-finals in Nagoya on Monday.
Pakistan advanced against Hong Kong without a ball being bowled under the competition rules, which allow the higher-seeded team to progress when a knockout match cannot be played.
A few hours later, India also advanced after persistent rain and a waterlogged outfield prevented any play in their quarter-final against Afghanistan.
The washouts mean Pakistan and India could meet in the final if both teams win their respective semi-finals.
Rain ruins Afghanistan’s hopes
The abandonment denied spectators at Korogi Athletic Park the opportunity to watch India’s highly rated 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Sooryavanshi topped the batting charts in the Indian Premier League earlier this year and had been one of the players attracting attention ahead of the Asian Games tournament.
Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Akram expressed his disappointment after his side was eliminated without getting an opportunity to play.
“We are here for the match, but unfortunately it rained,” Akram said. “The rain started yesterday, so hard luck for us. We would have been happy to play here with India. Our players are in form.”
Pakistan reach Asian Games cricket semi-finals after rain washes out Hong Kong clash
Afghanistan had already played two matches at the same venue and believed that familiarity with the conditions could have helped them.
“We played two matches here on this ground, so we know the condition very well. But unfortunately, the rain has ruined everything,” Akram said.
He added that the team had been monitoring the weather forecast on their phones and was disappointed when the rain continued.
“We saw the rain on our mobile phones. Everyone was sad,” he said.
Two more quarter-finals on Tuesday
The remaining two men’s quarter-finals are scheduled for Tuesday, with Sri Lanka facing Nepal and Bangladesh taking on Malaysia, weather permitting.
The results of those matches will determine the remaining semi-finalists and the teams’ routes toward the Asian Games cricket final.
Pakistan and India are now both just one victory away from setting up another high-profile meeting, provided they overcome their respective semi-final opponents.
