Asian Games 2026: Pakistan enter semis as rain washes out QF vs Hong Kong
Synopsis
Pakistan's Asian Games semifinal spot came without a single ball bowled — rain did the job at Nisshin's Korogi Sports Park, handing them progression over Hong Kong on ICC ranking. With India's quarterfinal against Afghanistan equally threatened by showers, history from the 2023 Hangzhou washout final could repeat itself.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan advanced to the Asian Games men's cricket semifinals after their quarterfinal against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball bowled at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 28 September .
Pakistan progressed by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking ; Hong Kong were eliminated.
Pakistan, led by new captain Sahibzada Farhan , will face the winner of the Bangladesh vs Malaysia quarterfinal.
India's quarterfinal against Afghanistan faces rain probability ranging from 40% to 70% at various points during the day.
If washed out, India (ranked No.
1 ) would advance over Afghanistan (ranked 10th ) — mirroring the 2023 Hangzhou final washout.
Pakistan have advanced to the Asian Games men's cricket semifinals without facing a single delivery, after relentless rain forced the abandonment of their quarterfinal against Hong Kong at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Monday, 28 September. The match was called off without a ball being bowled, with Pakistan progressing by virtue of their superior ICC T20I ranking.
How Pakistan Advanced
Tournament rules stipulate that in the event of a washout with no result possible, the team with the higher ICC T20I ranking advances to the next round. Pakistan, ranked considerably above Hong Kong, were therefore awarded the semifinal berth. Hong Kong, who had reached the knockout stage after winning one of their two group-stage fixtures, were eliminated without getting an opportunity to compete in the quarterfinal.
Notably, the two sides have met twice before in this format — at the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asian Games — with Pakistan winning on both occasions.
Pakistan's New-Look Side and What Comes Next
Pakistan entered the tournament with a fresh squad under new captain Sahibzada Farhan, having received a first-round bye along with India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh as top-seeded sides. They were considered strong favourites heading into the quarterfinal. Pakistan will next face the winners of Tuesday's quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
India-Afghanistan QF Faces Rain Threat
The second quarterfinal of the day — between India and Afghanistan — also faces a significant threat from the weather. According to AccuWeather forecasts, precipitation chances stand at 69% at 8 AM local time, rising to 70% at 9 AM, which is the scheduled start of that match. The probability of rain fluctuates through the day, dipping to 40% at 1 PM local — the scheduled toss time — before climbing to 58% at 4 PM and remaining between 49% and 60% through the evening.
Should the India-Afghanistan match also be washed out, India would advance automatically as the higher-ranked side. India are currently ranked No. 1 in ICC T20I rankings, while Afghanistan are placed 10th. This scenario would echo the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where India claimed gold after the final against Afghanistan was similarly abandoned due to rain — with India winning by virtue of their superior seeding.
Tournament Format and Context
Under the Asian Games cricket format, the six lowest-seeded teams competed in two groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The four top-seeded nations — India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh — received byes directly to the quarterfinal stage. The rain disruptions in Nisshin have cast a shadow over the knockout phase, raising questions about contingency arrangements for what is an important multi-sport continental showcase.
All eyes now turn to whether the India-Afghanistan quarterfinal can be completed, with the semifinals set to follow in the coming days.
Point of View
But it denies lower-ranked teams the competitive upset that makes knockout cricket meaningful. If India also advance without playing, the 2026 edition risks repeating the hollow optics of Hangzhou 2023, where gold was decided by seeding rather than performance. Asian Games organisers may need to revisit venue selection and scheduling buffers for future editions.
NationPress
28 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pakistan advance to the Asian Games 2026 semifinals without playing?
Pakistan advanced because their quarterfinal against Hong Kong at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on 28 September was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain. Tournament rules stipulate that the team with the higher ICC T20I ranking progresses in the event of a washout.
Who will Pakistan face in the Asian Games cricket semifinals?
Pakistan will play the winner of Tuesday's quarterfinal between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
What happens if the India vs Afghanistan quarterfinal is also washed out?
If the India-Afghanistan match is abandoned without a result, India will advance to the semifinals as the higher-ranked team. India are ranked No. 1 in ICC T20I standings, while Afghanistan are 10th.
Has this happened before at the Asian Games?
Yes. At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, the men's cricket gold medal final between India and Afghanistan was washed out, with India awarded gold on the basis of their superior seeding — the same rule now in play at the 2026 edition.
What is Sahibzada Farhan's role in the Pakistan squad?
Sahibzada Farhan is the captain of Pakistan's new-look squad for the 2026 Asian Games cricket tournament. Pakistan, under his leadership, entered directly at the quarterfinal stage after receiving a first-round bye as one of the top-seeded nations.
