Pakistan advanced to the Asian Games men’s cricket semi-finals on Monday after persistent rain washed out their quarter-final against Hong Kong in Japan. The match at Korogi Sports Park was abandoned without a ball being bowled, and Pakistan progressed under tournament rules because of their higher ICC Twenty20 International ranking.
Officials called off the match at the time of the toss. Large parts of the ground remained covered after heavy showers, leaving no realistic opportunity to play even a shortened contest. The result ended Hong Kong’s campaign without the team getting a chance to face Pakistan on the field.
Pakistan entered the tournament directly at the quarter-final stage as one of four seeded teams. Hong Kong had earned its place in the last eight by finishing second in its group, beating Malaysia before losing to Oman. Pakistan’s preparations in Japan had also been affected by rain, with a practice session disrupted by a wet outfield.
Sahibzada Farhan’s side will now meet the winner of Tuesday’s Bangladesh–Malaysia quarter-final. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, followed by the bronze-medal match and final on October 3. India also advanced on Monday after rain prevented play in their quarter-final against Afghanistan. For Pakistan, a place in the last four is secure, but the team must still play for a place in the final.
