China’s women’s cricket campaign at the Asian Games ended in agonising fashion on Thursday, without the team even taking the field, as their quarter-final against Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of a wet outfield in Nisshin, Aichi prefecture.The T20 match at Korogi Sports Park was called off without the toss taking place after persistent rain and poor weather conditions made play impossible. With no result possible, Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals on the basis of their higher international ranking, bringing China’s third Asian Games cricket appearance since 2010 to an abrupt end.Bangladesh are ranked 10th in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, while China are 36th. Under the Asian Games cricket Playing Conditions, the higher-ranked side advances if a quarter-final is abandoned without a result. The same provision was used at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where three of the four women’s quarter-finals involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were washed out.
Rain ends China’s campaign before it begins
For China, the outcome was particularly frustrating after making it through to the knockout stage of the eight-team women’s competition. The side had hoped to make an impact on the continental stage but instead saw its campaign end without facing a single delivery in the quarter-final.Heavy weather had affected the Korogi Sports Park area throughout the week, and conditions deteriorated enough on Thursday to force a complete cancellation of play. The venue on the outskirts of Nagoya is hosting all the cricket matches at the Asian Games.Bangladesh, meanwhile, moved into the last four without having to bat or bowl. Nigar Sultana’s side will now face the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between defending champions India and hosts Japan in the semi-finals on September 20.India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will begin their title defence against Japan in Nisshin on Friday. The other quarter-final on Thursday pits Pakistan against Thailand at the same venue.
Bangladesh team (Getty Images)
Bangladesh eye another medal challenge
With only eight teams featuring in the women’s cricket competition, Bangladesh are now just one victory away from reaching the gold-medal match. Both semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, with the gold-medal match to be played on September 22.Bangladesh’s progression also highlights the importance of the tournament regulations in a weather-hit competition. Rather than using a reserve day for the quarter-final, the Playing Conditions provide for the higher-ranked side to progress when a match is completely washed out.China’s exit means the country’s Asian Games cricket campaign is now over. The Chinese men’s side was not included in the eight-team field, leaving the women’s team as the country’s sole representative in cricket at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.The Games have started several sporting competitions before the official opening ceremony, and cricket is among the events beginning ahead of Saturday’s ceremony.The Asian Games cricket competition will conclude with the women’s final on September 22. On the same day, India’s men’s team, led by Shreyas Iyer, are scheduled to play Japan in a T20I at the Sano International Cricket Ground, around 100km from Tokyo. The match is part of celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.
