Sri Lanka Set Up India Semi-Final After Nepal Quarter-Final Is Washed Out

 Sri Lanka have advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games men's cricket tournament after their quarter-final against Nepal was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Nisshin on Tuesday.

The match was called off before the toss after persistent rain began several hours before the scheduled 9am local start. With the conditions showing little sign of improving, officials were forced to abandon the contest without play.

Sri Lanka's progression was confirmed because of their higher seeding based on the ICC T20I rankings. Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh entered the tournament as the four seeded teams and were consequently given an advantage in the event of rain-affected quarter-finals.

India had secured their place in the semi-finals on Monday after their quarter-final against Afghanistan was also washed out. Pakistan similarly advanced after their last-eight clash against Hong Kong was abandoned due to rain.

Sri Lanka had been eliminated at the quarter-final stage in the 2022 Asian Games after losing to Afghanistan. This time, however, they have moved into the last four without taking the field.

The weather has already played a significant role in determining the semi-final line-up. Bangladesh's quarter-final against Malaysia was also washed out a few hours after the Sri Lanka-Nepal game, confirming Bangladesh's place in the semi-finals.

As a result, Bangladesh will take on Pakistan in the first semi-final on October 1, while India will face Sri Lanka later the same day.

Another washout in the India-Sri Lanka semi-final would see India progress to the final by virtue of their higher seeding.