Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have advanced to the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition after their quarter-finals were abandoned without a ball being bowled. Sri Lanka’s last-eight clash with Nepal and Bangladesh’s quarter-final were both washed out, sending the higher-seeded sides through under tournament rules.

The semi-final line-up is now complete: Pakistan will face Bangladesh and India will take on Sri Lanka on October 1. The washouts have sparked debate about reserve days and seeding rules at multi-sport events, where tight schedules leave little room for replays.

Both advancing teams will now prepare for high-stakes knockout clashes with medals on the line. India, the favourites, face a strong Sri Lankan side, while Pakistan meet a Bangladesh team grateful for its reprieve from the weather. With no reserve days available in the compressed multi-sport schedule, tournament seedings decided which teams went through to the last four. The abandoned games mean both teams advance without having played a knockout ball, an anticlimax for supporters.