Pakistan, India reach Asian Games women cricket semis

HANGZHOU, China (AFP) - Pakistan and India's women's cricket teams both reached the last four of the Asian Games on Thursday despite their matches being washed out in Hangzhou.

India batted first in the Twenty20 encounter against Malaysia and piled up 173-2 in their rain-interrupted 15 overs. Malaysia faced just two balls and were 1-0 in reply when the rain returned and the match was abandoned with no result.

India progressed to the semi-final because of their higher world ranking.

The incessant showers meant Pakistan went through for the same reason against Indonesia in the later game without a ball being bowled as the covers remained on at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field.

India will face the winner of Friday's quarter-final between Bangladesh and Hong Kong for a place in the final. Pakistan will play either Sri Lanka or Thailand in the last four.

Pakistan won gold on both previous occasions women's cricket featured at the Asian Games, at Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014. The sport was not played at the Jakarta Asiad five years ago.