Asian Games 2026 cricket quarterfinals set as rain washes out Malaysia-Oman clash
Synopsis
Rain did the heavy lifting at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, confirming the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket quarterfinal draw without a ball bowled in two Group B matches. The biggest fixture to emerge: defending gold medallists India face Afghanistan on Monday morning, with a semifinal berth — and medal contention — at stake.
Key Takeaways
The Asian Games 2026 men's cricket quarterfinal line-up was sealed on 26 September after two matches in Nisshin were washed out.
Malaysia topped Group B with three points and an NRR of 2.950 ; Hong Kong, China and China also qualify from the group.
Oman were eliminated from Group B; Japan exited Group A winless.
Nepal topped Group A with three points ; Afghanistan qualified second with two points .
Defending gold medallists India face Afghanistan in QF 2 on Monday, 28 September at 10 AM IST .
Semifinals are on 1 October and medal matches on 3 October .
The quarterfinal line-up for the men's cricket event at the Asian Games 2026 was confirmed on Saturday, 26 September after the Malaysia vs Oman Group B clash at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin was washed out without even a toss. Rain also abandoned the earlier Nepal vs Japan contest at the same venue, leaving weather — not the bat and ball — to decide the knockout draw.
Group B Standings and Qualifiers
Malaysia topped Group B with three points from two matches and an NRR of 2.950, securing automatic progress. Hong Kong, China finished second with two points — one win and one loss — carrying an NRR of -0.075. Both sides, along with China, have advanced to the quarterfinals.
Oman were eliminated in third place, having lost to Hong Kong, China in their only completed game. Their NRR of -2.050 left them with no route to qualification even before the wash-out sealed their fate.
Group A Picture: Nepal and Afghanistan Through
From Group A, Nepal topped the standings with three points, their match against Japan cut short by rain when Nepal were 149 for 4 in 15 overs. Afghanistan advanced in second place with two points from two matches — a loss to Nepal and a win over Japan. Japan exited winless, and their poor NRR meant they needed a commanding victory regardless of the weather.
Quarterfinal Schedule and Match-ups
The four quarterfinals are as follows:
QF 1: Hong Kong, China vs Pakistan — Monday, 28 September at 5:30 AM IST.
QF 2: Afghanistan vs India (defending gold medallists) — Monday, 28 September at 10 AM IST.
QF 3: Nepal vs Sri Lanka — Tuesday, 29 September at 5:30 AM IST.
QF 4: Malaysia vs Bangladesh — Tuesday, 29 September at 10 AM IST.
Semifinal and Medal Match Dates
The winners of QF 1 and QF 4 will meet in the first semifinal, while the winners of QF 2 and QF 3 will contest the second semi. Both semifinals are scheduled for 1 October, with the medal matches — gold and bronze — to follow on 3 October. India, as defending gold medallists, enter directly into QF 2 and will need to navigate Afghanistan, and potentially Sri Lanka or Nepal, to defend their title.
Point of View
And the Asian Games format — with its compressed group stage — left little buffer for weather delays. The draw that emerged hands India a potentially stern test against Afghanistan, a side that has grown sharply competitive in short-form cricket. More broadly, the absence of a reserve day or D/L mechanism in at least some of these fixtures raises a structural question the Asian Games organisers will need to address before the next edition.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams have qualified for the Asian Games 2026 cricket quarterfinals?
Eight teams have qualified: from Group A — Nepal and Afghanistan; from Group B — Malaysia, Hong Kong China, and China. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka had already secured their quarterfinal berths from their respective groups before Saturday's wash-outs.
When does India play their Asian Games 2026 cricket quarterfinal?
India face Afghanistan in the second quarterfinal on Monday, 28 September at 10 AM IST at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. India are the defending gold medallists and enter the knockouts as one of the tournament favourites.
Why was the Malaysia vs Oman match abandoned?
The Malaysia vs Oman Group B clash at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin was washed out on Saturday, 26 September, without a toss due to rain. The Nepal vs Japan match earlier the same morning at the same venue was also abandoned for the same reason.
What is the full Asian Games 2026 cricket quarterfinal schedule?
QF 1: Hong Kong, China vs Pakistan on 28 September at 5:30 AM IST. QF 2: Afghanistan vs India on 28 September at 10 AM IST. QF 3: Nepal vs Sri Lanka on 29 September at 5:30 AM IST. QF 4: Malaysia vs Bangladesh on 29 September at 10 AM IST.
When are the Asian Games 2026 cricket semifinals and final?
Both semifinals are scheduled for 1 October, with the medal matches — including the gold-medal final — taking place on 3 October.
