'I was in my towel': Malaysian cricketer Virandeep's Asian Games heartbreak

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia cricketer Virandeep Singh was still in his towel when he learnt that the team's Asian Games T20 quarter-final against Bangladesh had been called off, ending their hopes without a ball being bowled.

"Was in my towel when our quarter-finals vs Bangladesh was called off," Virandeep wrote on Facebook.

"Sad we couldn't even make it to the ground. Waited three years for another opportunity to play against a Test nation but not meant I guess. Associate cricket is tough."

Malaysia were due to face Bangladesh at 1.30pm today (12.30pm - Malaysian time) at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin, but the match was called off because of a wet ground.

The decision meant Bangladesh, ranked eighth in the world compared to Malaysia's No. 25, advanced to the semi-finals under the competition regulations.

Team manager K. Yuvaraj said they were informed at 10am (9am - Malaysian time) that the match would not be played.

"It was unfortunate that the match was called off. We (the Malaysian team) were prepared as they had played on the pitch while Test-playing nation Bangladesh had yet to play their first match in the Asian Games.

"If the match is called off, then the team that are ranked higher will qualify to the next round."

The earlier quarter-final between Sri Lanka and Nepal was also called off because of the wet conditions.

For Malaysia, the abandonment was particularly frustrating given their history against Bangladesh at the Asian Games.

At the Hangzhou edition in 2023, Malaysia also met Bangladesh in the quarter-finals, with the national team putting up a strong fight before losing by just two runs.

This time, they did not even get the chance to repeat that battle.

Bangladesh will face Pakistan in the first semi-final on Thursday, followed by defending champions India against Sri Lanka in the second semi-final.