NISSHIN: Pakistan’s first Asian Games cricket semi-final against Bangladesh has been delayed because of a wet outfield at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
The toss has been delayed, with inspection of the field due in ten minutes. While it is dry, the outfield is slightly slushy.
As the weather improves, sunshine has returned to the ground, with both teams currently warming up on either side of the pitch.
The playing surface has also developed several large cracks, which could bring the spinners into play once the match gets underway.
The Pakistan-Bangladesh clash is the first of the two men’s semi-finals at the Asian Games, with the winner advancing to the gold-medal match on October 3.
Pakistan will qualify for the final if the semi-final is abandoned without a ball being bowled, with the higher-ranked side progressing under the tournament’s playing conditions.
The weather has already played a major role in the men’s cricket competition, with all four quarter-finals abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Pakistan reached the last four after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was washed out, while Bangladesh advanced after their last-eight match against Malaysia met the same fate.
Pakistan seek final berth
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan will lead the side’s batting effort, with the team looking to make the most of its opportunity if play gets under way.
Farhan is expected to provide an attacking start, while Hasan Nawaz and Usman Khan add depth to the batting order. Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are also among the options available to Pakistan.
The team arrived in Japan after a training camp in Karachi and had also prepared for different match scenarios and conditions. Their training session in Nisshin was affected by overnight rain and a wet outfield.
Bangladesh eye upset
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will look to maintain their momentum and reach the final after progressing through the quarter-final stage without taking the field.
Captain Litton Das will anchor an experienced batting line-up, with Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy expected to play important roles.
Bangladesh will, however, be without Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering from a fever and infection.
The Tigers secured their semi-final place after their quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned due to persistent rain, with their higher ranking sending them through.
Rain disrupts tournament
The weather has dominated the men’s cricket tournament in Nisshin, with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all progressing from the quarter-finals without playing a single delivery.
Tournament sports director Jarrad Shearer expressed his disappointment at the lack of cricketing action after organisers had spent a year converting a baseball facility into a cricket venue.
“Cricket, like baseball, you can’t play it in the rain. A year of my life on this, and it rains,” Shearer said.
He said organisers would make every effort to prepare the ground, including using equipment such as squeegees, brooms, sponges and other methods to remove water from uncovered areas.
Despite the earlier washouts, the forecast for the semi-finals was considered more favourable, raising hopes that both matches could be completed.
The second semi-final will see India face Sri Lanka at the same venue.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the gold-medal match on October 3, while the losing teams will contest the bronze-medal play-off.