Rain forces Afghanistan quarter‑final walk‑over, India advances to face Pakistan in Asian Games semis

India’s quarter‑final match against Afghanistan at the Asian Games was called off without a ball being bowled because of rain, giving a walk‑over to the Shreyas Iyer‑led side. The victory sends India into the semifinals where they will face Pakistan on Thursday at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Iyer said in the pre‑match press conference that captaining India at the Games is an honour and that the team feels pressure to finish on top but will focus on maintaining standards rather than worrying about the result. He added that the tournament is a key part of India’s preparation for the 2028 Olympics, stressing the need for fitness and the chance to play against new opponents. Sanju Samson, who returned to the squad after scoring back‑to‑back half‑centuries in the earlier bilateral series with Afghanistan, was also in the side, though he made little impact in the lone T20I against Japan. Pace ace Jasprit Bumrah rejoined the team after recovering from an injury sustained in England; he missed the Japan match but is expected to play a crucial role in India’s push for gold. ## Context The rain‑affected walk‑over continues India’s campaign after the earlier report on the abandoned quarter‑final, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tournament weather.