In an unexpected turn of events at the Asian Games, India secured gold in the men’s cricket competition, benefitting from a unique decision based on global rankings. The rain-interrupted T20 final against Afghanistan was resolved in favor of the world number one, India, leaving Afghanistan with a well-deserved silver medal.
The Rain Disruption and Unconventional Decision
During the critical T20 final, rain played spoilsport, interrupting the match with Afghanistan at 112 for five after 18.2 overs of their innings. With India unable to face a minimum of five overs, the match was abandoned just after 5 pm local time (09:00 GMT), making Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Indian team the default victors.
Cricket enthusiasts worldwide witnessed an unusual decision, as deciding match outcomes solely based on global rankings is a rarity in the sport, especially for major tournament finals. Most cricket events typically incorporate spare days to account for rain delays, ensuring that finals can be completed as planned.
The Asian Games History
Twenty20 cricket has been featured twice before in the Asian Games, at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014. Bangladesh and then Sri Lanka emerged as champions in the men’s category, while Afghanistan settled for the runner-up position on both occasions. It’s worth noting that India did not participate in these earlier editions.
Impacts Beyond Men’s Cricket
This rankings-based rule also played a role in India’s women’s cricket success at the Asian Games. Rain washed out their quarterfinal against Malaysia, allowing them to reach the semifinals, where they ultimately triumphed over Sri Lanka to claim the women’s championship title.
Thrilling Bronze Medal Playoff
In the men’s cricket bronze medal match between Bangladesh and Pakistan, rain made its presence felt, but it held off long enough to ensure a contest. The game turned into a thrilling showdown, with a last-ball four from Rakibul Hasan securing victory for Bangladesh. Chasing down a revised target of 65 runs in five overs, Bangladesh overcame a challenging start to emerge victorious, with Yasir Ali playing a crucial role in their stunning comeback.
Despite a rocky beginning, Yasir’s explosive performance in the last over, which included two sixes, brought Bangladesh to the brink of victory. Although he was eventually dismissed, Rakibal’s boundary off the last ball left Pakistan without a medal in the tournament.
