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Bangladesh advanced to the men’s cricket semifinal of the Asian Games 2026 without playing a ball after persistent rain washed out their quarter-final against Malaysia in Nisshin, Japan, on Tuesday.
The match at Korogi Sports Park was abandoned before the scheduled start as rain left conditions unplayable. Under the tournament rules, Bangladesh progressed because of its higher seeding.
The result means Bangladesh have reached the last four without taking part in their first match of the tournament. Earlier, Pakistan-Hong Kong and India-Afghanistan quarter-finals were also abandoned because of rain, with Pakistan and India advancing on the basis of their higher rankings.
Sri Lanka’s quarter-final against Nepal was also washed out on Tuesday, sending Sri Lanka through to the semifinal against India.
Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the semifinal on October 1 at Korogi Sports Park. The other semifinal will see India take on Sri Lanka.
The rain-hit progression carries an added complication for Bangladesh. If the semifinal is also abandoned without play, Pakistan would advance because of its higher ranking under the tournament regulations.
Bangladesh have previously won Asian Games cricket gold, taking the title in 2010. They won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2022 editions.
For the 2026 Games, Bangladesh travelled with a full-strength squad led by Litton Das, aiming to secure a medal. The team will now have to wait until October 1 for its first competitive match.