Asian Games 2026 Cricket: Bangladesh Reach Semi-Finals Without Playing, China Knocked Out by Rain

Bangladesh have reached the women’s cricket semi-finals without bowling a single ball after their quarter-final against China was abandoned due to rain at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday. With no play possible, Bangladesh advanced under the tournament’s higher-seeding rule.

China’s campaign therefore ended without the team getting an opportunity to compete in the quarter-final. The match was called off after persistent rain left the playing conditions unsuitable.

Bangladesh advance after rain washout

The Bangladesh-China quarter-final was scheduled as part of the women’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games. However, the wet outfield prevented the match from starting.

Under the competition regulations, when a quarter-final is abandoned, the higher-ranked or higher-seeded team progresses to the semi-finals. Bangladesh benefited from that provision and moved into the last four, while China were eliminated.

The Bangladesh team, led by Nigar Sultana, will now await the result of India’s quarter-final against hosts Japan to determine the semi-final line-up. India are scheduled to face Japan on September 18 at the same venue.

Pakistan beat Thailand by 3 wickets

Pakistan also secured a place in the semi-finals after overcoming Thailand by three wickets in a rain-affected quarter-final at Kōrogi Sports Park.

The match was reduced to 11 overs per side because of the weather. Thailand posted 91/4 after being asked to bat first, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai making 49 from 38 balls. Pakistan’s Fatima Sana took two wickets.

Pakistan chased down the revised target with three wickets remaining. Captain Fatima Sana contributed 21 off 13 balls before being dismissed, while Tuba Hassan added a quick 13 from seven deliveries to help keep the chase on course.

Asian Games cricket begins before opening ceremony

The 2026 Asian Games officially open on September 19, but the cricket competition began on September 17.

The women’s cricket tournament is being played from September 17 to 22, with the matches taking place at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The competition has full T20I status.

India, the defending women's cricket champions, begin their campaign against Japan on September 18. A victory would put India into the semi-finals, where Bangladesh are already waiting.

India eye another Asian Games gold

India won the women’s cricket gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023, after defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Bangladesh won the bronze medal after beating Pakistan in the third-place match.

India did not participate in the 2010 and 2014 editions, when Pakistan won the women’s cricket gold medal on both occasions.

With Bangladesh already through to the semi-finals and Pakistan also in the last four, the remaining quarter-final between India and Japan will determine another semi-finalist.

Bangladesh get another chance to challenge for a medal

Bangladesh’s unexpected passage into the semi-finals gives them another opportunity to challenge for a medal in Asian Games cricket.

For China, however, the tournament ended in frustrating circumstances, with persistent rain preventing the team from taking the field in its quarter-final.

The 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket tournament now moves into the knockout stage, with Bangladesh and Pakistan already confirmed in the semi-finals and India set to face Japan next.