Asian Games Cricket: India take on Sri Lanka in semi-finals after all qualifying Tests are over

The Indian men’s cricket team will face Sri Lanka in the semi-finals of the Asian Games after the island nation’s quarter-final against Nepal was canceled in Nagoya on Tuesday due to rain. The match at Korogi Sports Park was called off without a draw, persistent rain making any play impossible. Sri Lanka advanced to the last four thanks to a higher ICC T20I ranking, with the island nation ranked ninth and Nepal ranked 14th.

The result means that all four men’s quarter-finals at the Asian Games have been played due to weather. India have already secured their place in the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned on Monday. The defending champions are ranked 1st in the ICC T20I rankings, Afghanistan are 10th.

Bangladesh also reached the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Malaysia was washed out due to rain in Nagoya. Pakistan earlier advanced after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned, with the higher-ranked side progressing. Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the other semi-final, with both the last four matches on Thursday.

Rain has been a constant problem in Nagoya for the past few days. Nepal’s final group stage match against Japan on Saturday was also affected by the weather. The game was reduced to 15 overs, with Nepal scoring 149 for four, before the rain returned and prevented Japan from starting their chase. Nepal earlier started their campaign with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, India is yet to play a match at the Asian Games. Led by Shreyas Iyer, coach VVS Laxman has taken charge in the absence of Gautam Gambhir, who is with the ODI squad for India’s ongoing home series against the West Indies. The squad includes senior players like Jasprit Bumrah along with 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

After India’s quarter-final was lost, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said the players were hoping to get an opportunity to play in the upcoming matches. “We hope to get an opportunity to play good cricket and show our game to the people in Japan in the upcoming games,” Bishnoi said.

Bishnoi also spoke about the experience of participating in the Asian Games and said the players are looking forward to watching some other sporting events during their stay in Nagoya. “The Asian Games is definitely a different experience than other series and World Cups. You can see different sports and also experience them,” he said.

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