NISSHIN, Japan: China’s long-awaited return to Asian Games women’s cricket ended in heartbreak on Thursday, as their quarter-final against Bangladesh was washed out without a single ball being bowled because of a waterlogged outfield.
China had returned to the continental competition after a 12-year hiatus, raising hopes of showcasing their progress on a major international stage. However, despite clear weather on Thursday morning, days of persistent rain left the outfield at Korogi Sports Park too wet for play.
Heartbreak for China Women! 💔
The match between China and Bangladesh has been abandoned due to a wet outfield.
China have been knocked out of the Asian Games without even playing. 🇨🇳
They came here after such an excellent performance, defeated Nepal to qualify. pic.twitter.com/gDlqvAWED6
— Clink (@ClinkWrites) September 17, 2026
Ground staff made determined efforts to get the match underway, but the conditions ultimately proved beyond repair, bringing an abrupt end to China’s campaign without the team getting an opportunity to step onto the field in the tournament.
China’s Australian coach Alan Newington expressed his disappointment at the unfortunate outcome, saying the team had been hoping to play in a major tournament and introduce Chinese women’s cricket to a wider audience.
“We knew it was going to be tough to get a game given the weather in the last week here and all the challenges there have been,” Newington said.
He praised the ground staff for their efforts but acknowledged that the prospects of staging the match had remained uncertain.
“We’re grateful to the ground staff for trying their best, but we thought it was going to be tough to get a game,” he said.
“But we’re very disappointed. We were hoping the world could see the China women play for the first time after decades, in a big tournament. But we’ll reset and we’ll try again.”
Asian Games: बिना कोई गेंद फेंके सेमीफाइनल में पहुंची बांग्लादेश, अब भारत से हो सकती है टक्कर#AsianGames https://t.co/IBYjDdwmnb
— Dainik Jagran (@JagranNews) September 17, 2026
The abandonment handed Bangladesh a place in the semi-finals as they progressed on the basis of their higher ranking, leaving China to reflect on a campaign that ended without a competitive delivery being bowled.
Read Also: Typhoon Threatens Asian Games in Japan After Record Rainfall
Rain continued to disrupt proceedings at the same venue later in the day when Pakistan faced Thailand in another quarter-final. The match was reduced to 11 overs per side because of the wet conditions, with Pakistan eventually securing a narrow three-wicket victory with two balls to spare.
After a 12-year absence, Chinese women’s #cricket team finally returned to the Asian Games, only for its campaign to end before it could even take the field. Its quarterfinal against Bangladesh was canceled due to a waterlogged pitch in Japan, with Bangladesh advancing under… pic.twitter.com/ZuE1Gk6mNN
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) September 17, 2026
For China, however, the Asian Games comeback proved particularly cruel: after waiting 12 years for another opportunity, their return ended with no ball bowled, no run scored and no chance to compete.
Read Also: Pakistan Beat Thailand to Reach Asian Games Women’s Cricket Semi-finals
China’s participation in Asian Games women’s cricket in 2026 marked a return after a 12-year gap. China had previously competed in the women’s events at the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Asian Games, but was absent from the subsequent editions featuring cricket.
