Heart for Afghanistan. Rain once again seals the fate of the cricket team at the Asian Games
Three years ago, Afghanistan settled for silver at the Asian Games in Hangzhou when rain washed out their men’s cricket final against India. Being seeded lower than India in the competition, Afghanistan finished second behind Ruturaj Gaikwad’s India.
Three years later, this time in Nagoya, Japan, Afghanistan faced another heartbreak. Their quarter-final against Shreyas Iyer’s India was ruined due to rain, knocking them out of the tournament.
The washout meant that the Indian men’s cricket team entered the semi-finals of the Asian Games without taking the field. The defending champions advanced to the last four thanks to their No.1 ranking in the ICC T20I rankings, with Afghanistan currently ranked 10th. Courtesy: PTI
India will take on the winner of the Nepal-Sri Lanka quarter-final here on Tuesday. If this match is abandoned, Sri Lanka will face India in the semi-finals based on their higher ranking.
Asian Games Live: Update 28 September
It has been raining steadily in Nagoya for the past few days and even a shortened match was a remote possibility on this day.
“We hope that in the upcoming games we will get an opportunity to play some good cricket and show our game to the people in Japan,” India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said after the cancellation of the game was announced.
The first quarter-final between Pakistan and Hong Kong was also scrapped, allowing the former to advance based on their higher ICC ranking.
WHO WINS THE GOLD IF THE FINALS ARE WASHED?
In Hangzhou, India was awarded the gold medal after rain washed out the final, while Afghanistan got the silver. In case the final is washed away by rain this time, both the finalists will get the gold medal, veteran cricket journalist Anand Vasu said, quoting Asian Games officials.
WHO IS IN THE INDIAN CRICKET TEAM?
India are led by Shreyas Iyer with VVS Laxman taking over the coaching duties as regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is with the ODI team currently playing the home series against West Indies.
The team features major stars like pace boss Jasprit Bumrah and 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among others. Indian team in Nagoya. (PTI photo)
Bishnoi said the players look forward to the opportunity to watch other sports while they are here.
“The Asian Games is definitely a different experience than other series and World Cups. You get to see different sports and also experience them,” said Bishnoi.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do it yet because we’re keeping a bit out of the way… But we’ll try today, as we have tomorrow off, and we’ll explore some other sports as well,” he added.
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