India claim Asian Games men's cricket gold after rain washes out final

Afghanistan settle for silver medal after posting 112-5 in 18.2 overs before rain intervention

India's players celebrate their victory in the men’s final cricket match between Afghanistan and India during the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, in China's eastern Zhejiang province on October 7, 2023. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

India's men's cricket team players pose with their gold medals at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. AFP

Afghanistan's players pose with their silver medals. AFP

Volunteers cover the pitch as rain stops play in the men’s final between Afghanistan and India at the Asian Games. AFP

Afghanistan’s Shahidullah Kamal top-scored with 49 on Saturday. AFP

India's Sai Kishore dives to stop the ball in the men’s final. AFP

India celebrate the dismissal of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad. AFP

India's Arshdeep Singh celebrates the dismissal of Afghanistan’s Mohammad Shahzad. AFP

India's wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma runs out Afghanistan’s Noor Ali Zadran. AFP

India celebrate the dismissal of Afghanistan’s Zubaid Akbari. AFP

The Asian Games men's cricket final ended on a damp note as rain forced a no result in the gold medal match between India and Afghanistan in Hangzhou on Saturday.

Afghanistan were looking for a strong finish at 112-5 after 18.2 overs in t20-over match when weather interrupted play. The players then could not take the field again and India were awarded the gold medal by virtue of having a higher seeding.

India's bowlers were on top in the first half of Afghanistan's innings, reducing them to 52-5. But a fightback from Shahidullah (49 not out) and captain Gulbadin Naib (27 not out) not only stabilised the innings, but also raised hopes of posting a competitive total in excess of 130, which could have proven difficult on what have typically been low-scoring surfaces in China.

It was Afghanistan’s first silver medal at these Games after winning four bronzes. They have not won a gold.

The result meant India made a clean sweep of the cricket competitions after their women’s team also won gold, beating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final.

Afghanistan had already defeated Pakistan in the semi-finals, preventing an anticipated final between the traditional rivals.

Earlier, rain also hit the bronze medal play-off between Bangladesh against Pakistan but held off long enough to ensure a contest.

It turned out to be a thriller as a last-ball four from Rakibul Hasan secured the win, the Bangladeshis having chased down 65 runs in five overs in a victory target adjusted by the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The chase began disastrously, with Pakistan quick Arshad Iqbal removing Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan and captain Saif Hassan for ducks in the first three balls.

But Afif Hossain (20) steadied the innings with number four Yasir Ali (34), who went on a slogging spree to drive Bangladesh to the brink of victory.

Needing 20 runs in the last over, Yasir smashed 16 of them, including two sixes, in the first four balls before being bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem.

Rakibal then whacked Muqeem to the boundary on the last ball to condemn Pakistan to a medal-less tournament.