NISSHIN, Japan, September 29, 2026: Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the men’s cricket semi-final at the Asian Games on October 1 after persistent rain abandoned Bangladesh’s quarter-final against Malaysia without a ball being bowled in Nisshin on Tuesday.
Bangladesh progressed to the semi-finals as the higher-ranked team after the rain made the pitch unplayable. Pakistan had secured its place in the last four a day earlier when its quarter-final against Hong Kong was also abandoned without play. Pakistan advanced under the tournament’s playing conditions because of its higher ICC ranking.
The result confirmed Pakistan’s semi-final against Bangladesh, while India will face Sri Lanka in the other last-four match. Both semi-finals are scheduled for October 1 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Sri Lanka also advanced without playing its quarter-final after persistent rain forced the match against Nepal to be abandoned. The repeated washouts have significantly disrupted the men’s cricket schedule at the Asian Games.
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The weather problems have also tested organizers, who spent about a year converting a baseball facility into a cricket venue. Sports director Jarrad Shearer said the team would use equipment including squeegees, large brooms and sponges to dry uncovered areas of the ground ahead of the semi-finals.
“We’ve got some soppers, we’ve got some squeegees, some big old brooms, we’ve got sponges,” Shearer said, according to Reuters.
Bangladesh will be without batter Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering a fever and infection.
Organizers are hoping for improved weather conditions on October 1 so that the semi-finals can go ahead as scheduled. The bronze-medal match and final are scheduled for October 3.
