India men’s T20I team led by Shreyas Iyer has advanced to the Asian Games 2026 semifinal despite the quarter-final game against Afghanistan getting washed out due to rain and wet outfield. India are the higher-ranked side which led to them advancing into last four and Afghanistan being knocked out. This is the second consecutive time Afghanistan have been hard done by due to rain. In the Asian Games 2023 men’s cricket final, they had to settle for a silver as rain played spoilsport in the final. In the last edition, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India won the gold medal as they were the higher-ranked side then as well.
Earlier in the day, Sahibzada Farhan-led Pakistan made it to the semifinals after their quarterfinal clash against Hong Kong, China was washed out due to rain. Pakistan are the higher-ranked side and got a direct entry into the semifinal, one step closer to a medal. In the previous edition, Pakistan lost the bronze medal match to Bangladesh and returned empty-handed.
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Who will India face in the semifinal?
India will face the winners of the third quarter-final match which will be played between Sri Lanka and Nepal on September 29. On the other hand, Pakistan will go up against the winners of Bangladesh-Malaysia quarter-final match.
Will India face Pakistan in Asian Games 2026?
There are two possibilities of an India-Pakistan fixture in Asian Games 2026. If both teams make it to the final, they will fight for the gold medal. The second scenario of an India-Pakistan match will be after disappointment for both teams. If both of them lose in their respective semifinal matches on October 1, they will lock horns in the bronze medal match on October 3. The final is scheduled to take place on October 3 as well.
Bishnoi on wicket for Asian Games 2026
So far, Asian Games 2026 has produced low-scoring affairs with spin playing a major role. India’s leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi termed it as a ‘difficult wicket’ ahead of the semifinal clash.
“It looks like it could be a difficult wicket, but whatever we get, it should be a fair game for both teams,” he told the broadcasters after the game was washed out.