Higher-ranked Sri Lanka progress without facing Nepal; India await in Thursday’s last-four clash
Nisshin, Sept 2026 : Sri Lanka advanced to the semifinal of the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 without playing a single ball, after persistent rain forced the abandonment of their quarterfinal against Nepal at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday.
With the match producing no result, Sri Lanka secured their place in the last four on the basis of their higher ICC T20I ranking. Nepal, who had made an impressive run to the quarterfinals, were eliminated without getting an opportunity to take the field.
Sri Lanka will now face defending champions India in the semifinal on Thursday.
Sri Lanka had entered the quarterfinal stage directly as one of the four seeded teams, along with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Nepal, meanwhile, earned their quarterfinal berth after their final Group A match against hosts Japan was washed out.
Nepal had shown considerable promise in that game before rain intervened. Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam struck half-centuries as Nepal reached 149 for four in 15 overs before the match was abandoned.
The washout against Sri Lanka was the third consecutive quarterfinal to be abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Asian Games. On Monday, Pakistan advanced to the semifinals after their quarterfinal against Hong Kong was washed out, with the higher-ranked Pakistan side progressing under the tournament rules.
Later the same day, India also reached the semifinals without taking the field after their quarterfinal against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain. India progressed on the basis of their superior ICC T20I ranking.
The repeated weather interruptions have significantly disrupted the knockout stage of the competition. Of the last four matches scheduled in Nisshin, three have ended in washouts before the toss, while one was abandoned after 15 overs.
The weather-related disruption has been particularly frustrating for Nepal, who had produced an encouraging performance during the group stage and entered the knockout phase with momentum. Their campaign, however, ended without the team getting an opportunity to challenge Sri Lanka in the quarterfinal.
No ball has been bowled at the Nisshin venue since Saturday, when Nepal's Group A fixture against Japan was halted after 15 overs because of rain. Nepal were 149 for four at the time, with Jora and Bam providing the major contributions.
Sri Lanka will now turn their attention to Thursday’s semifinal against India, with both teams advancing from rain-affected quarterfinals.
