The quarterfinal line-up for the men's cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026 was confirmed on Saturday after rain washed out the final group-stage fixtures at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.Group A: Nepal top the group
Nepal secured first place in Group A after their match against Japan was abandoned due to persistent rain. The rain-shortened contest was reduced to 15 overs a side after a delayed start. Nepal batted first and posted 149 for four, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Sandeep Jora, who remained unbeaten on 57 off 32 deliveries, and Lokesh Bam, who smashed 52 off just 22 balls. No further play was possible.
Nepal finished with three points to top the group, while Afghanistan took second place with two points from a win and a loss — the Afghans had lost to Nepal in their second match. Japan ended winless after a loss to Afghanistan and the washout against Nepal, and were knocked out, their poor net run rate having already left them needing a huge win.
Group B: Malaysia through on top
The Malaysia versus Oman clash was abandoned without even a toss, following the Nepal-Japan washout earlier in the morning at the same venue. Malaysia finished on top of Group B with three points from two matches and a net run rate of 2.950. Hong Kong, China came second with two points from a win and a loss and an NRR of -0.075. Oman, who lost their game to Hong Kong, China, saw their slim hopes of a quarterfinal spot vanish with the washout and finished third with a poor NRR of -2.050.
The quarterfinal draw
Hong Kong, China will face Pakistan in the first quarterfinal on Monday morning at 5:30 AM IST. Defending gold medallists India take on Afghanistan in the second quarterfinal on Monday at 10 AM IST. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the third quarterfinal on Tuesday at 5:30 AM IST, while Malaysia meet Bangladesh in the fourth quarterfinal on Tuesday at 10 AM IST.
The winner of the first quarterfinal (Pakistan or Hong Kong, China) will face the winner of the fourth (Bangladesh or Malaysia) in the first semifinal. The winner of the second quarterfinal (India or Afghanistan) will meet the winner of the third (Sri Lanka or Nepal) in the other semifinal. Both semifinals are scheduled for October 1, followed by the medal matches on October 3.
Sources:
Asian Games: Cricket quarterfinals line-up confirmed after Malaysia-Oman wash out — Lokmat Times (IANS)
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