Published 29 September 2026
Pakistan advanced to the men’s cricket semi-finals at the 2026 Asian Games after rain washed out their quarter-final against Hong Kong in Nisshin on 28 September. The match was abandoned because the wet ground could not be made playable, and Pakistan progressed under the tournament’s ranking-based rule for an abandoned knockout match.
The quarter-final was scheduled at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Persistent rain left the ground unplayable, so there was no completed match. Pakistan moved on as the higher-ranked team; Hong Kong’s tournament ended.
Pakistan are set to meet Bangladesh in the semi-final. Bangladesh advanced after its quarter-final against Malaysia was also abandoned because of rain on 29 September.
The Asian Games knockout format uses team ranking to determine which side progresses when a quarter-final cannot be completed. Pakistan were ranked above Hong Kong, so they received the semi-final place. This was a progression by the event rule, not a match victory on the field.
The quarter-final was abandoned because rain left the ground unplayable; the match was not completed.
Pakistan advanced under the ranking-based rule for an abandoned knockout match because they were ranked above Hong Kong.
Pakistan are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the semi-final after Bangladesh also advanced from a rain-abandoned quarter-final.
Reuters (opens in a new tab) · News
Rain-hit Asian Games battles scheduling logjam
Accessed 29 September 2026
