IND vs AFG, Asian Games 2026 cricket: India reach semis after quarter-final washout

The Indian men's cricket team reached the Asian Games 2026 semis by virtue of being the better-seeded team after its quarter-final match against Afghanistan at the Karogi Athletic Park was abandoned due to rain.

According to the Asian Games 2026 cricket rules, if a knockout match is abandoned, the better-seeded team based on the ICC T20I Rankings in the fixture will progress to the next round.

India are currently the world No. 1 T20I team while Afghanistan are 10th.

The exact same rule saw India lift the title in Hangzhou 2023 after the final against Afghanistan was abandoned.

Afghanistan are yet to beat India in a T20I match. India have won 11 of the 13 head-to-head matches while two matches - both Asian Games fixtures - have ended with no result.

Earlier in the day, the other Asian Games cricket quarter-final between Pakistan and Hong Kong China was also abandoned due to heavy rain. Pakistan have made it through to the semi-final.

India, the defending champions, will next face the winner of the quarter-final fixture between Bangladesh and Malaysia in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will face either Sri Lanka or Nepal in the top four, keeping the chances of an India vs Pakistan gold medal match alive.

The Indian women’s cricket team has already successfully defended its gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games earlier.

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