Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals of the women’s cricket event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday after their quarterfinal against China was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.

The quarterfinal was scheduled at Korygi Athletic Park in Nisshin, but the wet outfield made play impossible. The captains did not even come out for the toss as the rain continued to disrupt proceedings.

According to BSS, Bangladesh secured their place in the last four by virtue of their higher ICC T20I ranking. Bangladesh are currently ranked 10th in the world, while China are ranked 37th.

The rain-hit conditions had also prevented Bangladesh from completing full training sessions in the days leading up to the match.

Tournament rules allowed for a Super Over to determine the winner if a 20-over match could not be completed. However, continued rain ruled out that possibility, leaving the teams' T20I rankings to decide the outcome.

The abandoned match would have been Bangladesh's first internationally recognised women's T20I against China.

Bangladesh had previously beaten China by nine wickets in the semifinals of the 2010 Asian Games after bowling them out for just 34 runs in seven overs. That match, however, did not carry international recognition.

Bangladesh will now face the winner of the India-Japan quarterfinal in the semifinals on September 20.

India are scheduled to face hosts Japan tomorrow at 11am Bangladesh time.

Bangladesh have previously won two silver medals and one bronze medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games.

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