The much-awaited final between India and Afghanistan for the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 took place on Saturday at the Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field, Hangzhou. Everyone expected a crackling contest between the two top teams in the competition.
But unfortunately, the rain won and it ended without a result. The game was called off as the rain had the last laugh, but despite that, Team India finished the match as the winner and received the gold medal in the men’s cricket competition.
This was another gold medal for India after the Harmanpreet Kaur-led women’s team won the women’s tournament, beating Sri Lanka in the final. Both the men’s and women’s teams have now won a gold medal each. But some fans were surprised that, without a result, how could India win the gold medal?
It was because India had a higher seed that the decision was taken based on the performance of the whole tournament, and India’s points, wins, and matches were better than Afghanistan’s. That is why Ruturaj Gaikwad’s team finished with gold, and Afghanistan ended up winning the silver medal.
The Afghan team was at 112/5 in 18.2 overs when the rain stopped the game, and it fell so continuously that the umpires and match officials had to call off the game. Though Afghanistan could have tried if the game had been completed, it ended as it was. After winning the toss, the Indian bowlers bowled in tight lines and didn’t allow the opposing batters to get away.
Half of the Afghanistan team went back to the pavilion with a score of 52 runs in 10.5 overs. But then Shahidullah Kamal and skipper Gulbadin Naib took the fight and added 60 runs for the 6th wicket. Kamal was unbeaten on 49, and Naib scored 27 not out. Before this game, Bangladesh beat Pakistan by six wickets in a rain-hit game to secure the bronze medal.
