India Qualify for Men's Asian Games 2026 Cricket Semifinal as IND vs AFG Match Called Off Due to Rain

India's quest for Asian Games cricket gold remains on track, albeit not in the manner anticipated, as persistent rainfall forced the abandonment of their Men's Cricket Quarter-Final against Afghanistan at the Korogi Sports Park on Monday, September 28, 2026. The match, scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST (1:30 PM local time), was called off without a ball being bowled, ensuring India's progression to the semi-finals due to their higher ICC T20I ranking. Nepal Qualifies For Asian Games 2026 Cricket QF; Sets Up Clash With Sri Lanka After Japan Clash Ends in No-Result.

The weather forecast had cast a significant shadow over the highly anticipated encounter, with AccuWeather predicting a high chance of precipitation throughout the day in Nisshin. The relentless showers left match officials with no option but to call off the game, a decision that also saw Pakistan advance from their quarter-final against Hong Kong earlier in the day under similar circumstances.

Tournament Regulations Propel India Forward

Under the playing conditions for the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament, in the event of a knockout match being abandoned due to inclement weather without a result, the team with the higher seeding or superior ICC T20I ranking automatically advances to the next round. As the top-ranked T20I side globally, India held a significant advantage over 10th-ranked Afghanistan, ensuring their direct passage to the semi-finals.

This rule had previously played a decisive role in the 2023 Asian Games final in Hangzhou, China, where India clinched the gold medal against Afghanistan after the match was washed out and they were awarded the victory based on their higher seeding.

Captain Shreyas Iyer's Preparedness

Indian captain Shreyas Iyer, speaking ahead of the match, had acknowledged the potential for rain disruptions, emphasizing the team's mental preparedness. "We have decided that we are a bunch of professionals. And such hurdles will keep coming. And mentally, we have to be prepared, irrespective of whatever the situation is going to be," Iyer stated.

India, defending champions from the 2023 edition, entered the 2026 tournament directly into the quarter-finals due to their seeded status. They had a recent tune-up match, a rain-reduced five-over contest against hosts Japan, where they secured a two-run victory after posting 32/4 and restricting Japan to 30/3.

Afghanistan, led by Darwish Rasooli, qualified for the quarter-finals by finishing second in Group A, with a win over Japan and a loss to Nepal. The team was hoping for a chance at redemption after the 2023 final. Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Attend India's Optional Indoor Training Session Ahead of Asian Games 2026.

India vs Afghanistan - Match Details at a Glance

India now awaits their semi-final opponent, as the weather continues to play a significant role in the ongoing Asian Games cricket tournament in Japan. The team will be keen to get out on the field and demonstrate their prowess as they push for another gold medal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 28, 2026 09:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).