Bangladesh women reach Asian Games cricket semis without playing a match

Bangladesh reached the semifinals of the women's cricket event in the Asian Games without facing a single ball as their quarterfinal against China was abandoned due to persistent rain in Nagoya, Japan, today.

The quarterfinal was scheduled to be played at the Korygi Athletic Park in Nisshin, but the wet outfield made play impossible.

The captains did not even come out for the toss.

Bangladesh secured a place in the last four by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking. Bangladesh are ranked 10th in the world, while China are ranked 37th.

The rain-hit weather had also prevented Bangladesh from completing full training sessions in the days leading up to the match.

Under the tournament rules, a Super Over could have been used to determine the result if a 20-over match was not possible.

However, continued rain ruled out that option as well, and the teams' T20I rankings were used to decide the outcome.

The match would have marked Bangladesh's first international T20I against China.

Bangladesh had previously defeated China by nine wickets after bowling them out for 34 runs in seven overs in the 2010 Asian Games semifinals, but that match did not have international recognition.

However, Bangladesh will face the winner of the India-Japan quarterfinal in the semifinals on September 20.

India are scheduled to play Japan tomorrow at 11AM Bangladesh time.

Bangladesh have previously won two silver medals and one bronze medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games.