Rain Washouts Send Bangladesh, Sri Lanka to Asian Games Semis

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka advanced to the men’s cricket semifinals at the Asian Games after rain ended both remaining quarterfinals without a ball being bowled on September 29. Under the tournament’s reported seeding rules, Bangladesh moved on to face Pakistan and Sri Lanka advanced to meet India. The Bangladesh-Malaysia match was abandoned before the toss. The teams had been scheduled to play the fourth quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Bangladesh progressed because it was the higher-seeded side. The decision was made two hours before the toss, according to one report, which also said both teams were advised not to travel to the venue. Sri Lanka’s quarterfinal against Nepal was also called off without play. Sri Lanka advanced as the higher-seeded team. The two results completed a quarterfinal round in which all four matches were abandoned, leaving Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan as the semifinalists. The first two quarterfinals, between India and Afghanistan and between Pakistan and Hong Kong, were abandoned on September 28, according to reports. India and Pakistan advanced in those matches under the same higher-seed rule.