The IND vs AFG quarter-final at the Asian Games 2026 ended without a ball bowled after persistent rain soaked the Korogi Sports Park outfield. Officials could not even conduct the toss.
India reached the semi-finals because the tournament rules gave the higher-ranked team the place after a washout. India will face the winner of Sri Lanka vs Nepal on October 1.
Here is everything to know about the washout, India’s qualification, and their semi-final fixture.
IND vs AFG Asian Games 2026 Quarterfinal Match Abandoned Due to Rain
India and Afghanistan were scheduled to meet in the second men’s cricket quarter-final on September 28.
Persistent rain soaked the Korogi Sports Park outfield and prevented play. Officials could not conduct the toss, so neither team faced a delivery.
The officials eventually abandoned the match without a result. Rain had also stopped the first quarter-final at the venue between Pakistan and Hong Kong China.
Pakistan’s match also ended without a ball being bowled. The second washout then sent India into the last four without playing their quarter-final.
Why India Advanced to the Asian Games 2026 Semi-Finals after the IND vs AFG Game Washout
India progressed because the tournament rules use a higher-ranking provision when a knockout match produces no result.
India entered the Asian Games 2026 as one of four seeded teams. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka also received direct entry into the quarter-finals. The other six teams competed in the preliminary round for the remaining four knockout places.
The knockout schedule did not include reserve days for the quarter-finals. As a result, officials used the applicable ranking provision instead of scheduling a replay when rain abandoned a match.
India held the higher ranking over Afghanistan, so the rule sent India into the semi-finals after the washout.
India also secured direct entry into the quarter-finals through their tournament seeding. The four seeded teams skipped the preliminary round, while Afghanistan had to earn a quarter-final place through the group stage.
India’s Road to the Asian Games 2026 Quarter-Final
The Asian men’s cricket competition features 10 teams, with six teams starting in the preliminary round.
Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal formed Group A, while Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Oman formed Group B. The top two teams from each group moved into the quarter-finals.
India entered the quarter-finals directly as one of the four seeded teams. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also received direct entry based on their seeding.
Afghanistan finished second in Group A after Nepal topped the group. That result set up India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan on September 28.
India entered the tournament as the defending champions after winning gold at Hangzhou 2022. Rain also washed out their previous final against Afghanistan, with India taking the title through the higher seeding rule.
India’s Asian Games 2026 Squad
India initially selected a 15-member squad for the Asian Games, led by Shreyas Iyer with Tilak Varma as vice-captain.
The squad later underwent several changes. Harshit Rana was ruled out with a rectus femoris strain, and Yash Thakur was named his replacement.
India subsequently withdrew Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Asian Games squad. Varun Chakaravarthy also missed the tournament because of a side strain, with Vipraj Nigam replacing him.
The latest squad now is as follows:
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Shivam Dube
- Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain)
- Vipraj Nigam
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Yash Thakur
India’s Semi-Final Opponent at Asian Games 2026
IIndia will face Nepal or Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semi-final. Their quarter-final on September 29 will decide India’s opponent.
The semi-final will take place on October 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST (1:30 PM local time). Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, will host the fixture.
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Conclusion
India now enter the decisive stage of their Asian Games campaign with another medal within reach. Their focus will shift to the semi-final as they continue their title defence.
The next match will give India an opportunity to strengthen their campaign and move closer to another gold medal.
