Pakistan has progressed to the semi-finals of the 2026 Asian Games men’s cricket competition after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball bowled on Monday. Persistent rain at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, left the outfield waterlogged, forcing officials to call off the match before the toss could take place.
Under the specific tournament regulations governing the Asian Games, Pakistan advanced by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking and seeding. This regulation, which does not provide reserve days for the quarter-final stage, ensures Pakistan’s place in the final four while Hong Kong is eliminated from the competition.
The weather conditions in Nisshin have been heavily impacted by atmospheric instability following Typhoon Dujuan, which recently moved through the region according to reports from India Today. The saturation at Korogi Sports Park proved too severe for play, mirroring the conclusion of the 2023 Hangzhou Games where seeding-based rules also determined outcomes in rained-out fixtures.
Pakistan is fielding a revamped squad for this tournament, led by Sahibzada Farhan. The side is missing established senior players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan, as the selection committee focuses on testing the depth of the talent pool.
While the captain has yet to lead his side in active play this tournament, Farhan stated that the squad members possess international experience and are prepared to handle the pressure of the knockout environment. The youthful nature of the squad suggests a focus on bench strength for the current T20I cycle.
The semi-finals of the men’s competition are scheduled to take place on October 1, 2026. Pakistan’s opponent will be determined by the results of the remaining quarter-final matches, which include the fixture between India and Afghanistan.
