Nisshin (Japan): India were scheduled to face Afghanistan in a quarterfinal of the Asian Games T20 tournament here today, but persistent rain made the pitch and outfield unfit for play. As a result, the match was abandoned and India were awarded a direct place in the semifinals.
In the Women’s T20 event, Harmanpreet Kaur’s Indian team had already secured the country’s gold medal last week.
India’s Squad
The defending champions are now just two steps away from another gold medal. The Indian squad, led by Shreyas Iyer, includes Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar and Yash Thakur.
The big guns are ready for their first game vs AFG at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026💙 Watch #INDvAFG in the Asian Games Quarter-Final, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #AsianGames #Cricket #BaarBaarBharatHarBaarBharat https://t.co/rkSKNUaYXj
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 28, 2026
When and Against Whom Will India Play the Semifinal?
India will play their semifinal at the same venue on Thursday, October 1, from 10:30 am. Their opponents will be either Sri Lanka or Nepal.
There was not even a toss in the India-Afghanistan quarterfinal. With the pitch and outfield declared unfit for play, the match was called off. According to the tournament rules, India progressed directly to the semifinals based on their higher ranking.
Pakistan Also Reach Semifinals
The first quarterfinal at the same venue was scheduled between Pakistan and Hong Kong, but that match was also abandoned because of heavy rain. Pakistan consequently advanced directly to the semifinals.
The other two major teams in the quarterfinal stage are Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Could India and Pakistan Meet in the Final?
If India and Pakistan win their respective semifinals, they will face each other in the final on Saturday, October 3.
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