ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has qualified for the Asian Games men’s cricket semi-finals without taking the field following rain brought an early end to their quarter-final against Hong Kong, China in Nisshin, Japan.
The first quarter-final was called off without a toss after persistent rain prevented any play at Korogi Sports Park.
Pakistan, along with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, was given a direct entry into the last eight based on the teams’ rankings. Hong Kong, meanwhile, qualified for the quarter-finals after finishing second in Group B.
Pakistan arrived in Japan after a four-day training camp in Karachi, where they worked on conditions expected at the Asian Games and practised different match scenarios.
Their training session in Nisshin on Sunday was also affected by overnight rain and a wet outfield.
The side, captained by Sahibzada Farhan and coached by Mike Hesson, will face the winners of Tuesday’s quarter-final between Bangladesh and Malaysia in the semi-finals, scheduled for Thursday at the same venue.
This would have been the third T20 meeting between the two sides, with Pakistan having prevailed in both previous encounters at the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asian Games. Pakistan won bronze in the men’s cricket event at the 2010 Asian Games.
Pakistan squad for Asian Games
Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Abdul Samad (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).
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