Pakistan, India get direct quarter-final entry in Asian Games cricket

NEW DELHI: Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been handed a direct entry into the men’s knockouts of the Asian Games cricket after the draw was announced.

Defending champions India along with its seeded neighbours will start from the quarter-finals of the 10-team men’s competition starting September 24 in Nagoya.

The competition will begin with a preliminary round featuring Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal and Oman competing for the remaining quarter-final berths.

The draw was announced Thursday with Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal clubbed in Group A. Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman were placed in Group B.

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The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage to join the four seeded sides.

In the women’s competition scheduled between September 17-22, holders India will face hosts Japan in the quarter-finals.

Bangladesh will take on China, Sri Lanka clash with Malaysia, and Pakistan play Thailand.

Both men’s and women’s competitions will be played in the Twenty20 format.

India swept the cricket gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.