HANGZHOU, China :Gifted an arm-chair ride by Asian Games organisers, India were awarded gold in the men's cricket on Saturday as the rain-hit T20 final against Afghanistan was decided only by the superpower's superior global ranking.
Afghanistan, ranked 10th in the ICC's T20 rankings versus world number one India, were left with silver and powerless to do anything about it after rain halted the match when they were 112 for five after 18.2 overs of the first innings.
With India unable to bat a minimum required five overs - or even start their innings - play was abandoned soon after 5 p.m. (0900 GMT), leaving Ruturaj Gaikwad's team to celebrate victory by default in the nation's debut in the event.
"It feels very good, feels very proud. It’s something we’re not used to, winning a medal, obviously," Gaikwad told reporters.
"Pretty much disappointing, I would say," he added of the rain.
"Obviously we would love to have a full game .... But it’s the thing we cannot control."
Deciding results by teams' rankings is almost unheard of in cricket, let alone for major tournament finals.
Most allow spare days for deciders in case of rain.
If none are available, a winner is generally declared via tie-breaking criteria based on teams' performances within the tournament.
The rankings rule also gave India's gold medal-winning women a free pass to the semi-finals after rain washed out their quarter-final against Malaysia.
Afghanistan were condemned to a third silver in three Asian Games tournaments, having fallen in the final to Bangladesh in 2010 and to Sri Lanka in 2014.
Cricket was dropped from the programme for the 2018 Games.
"Unfortunately for us India are the top-ranked team in the world, so that's why they are now the gold medallists," said Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib.
"We worked hard for these Asian Games and we deserved to win the final ... The wicket is very difficult to bat on (so) I was fully confident in my bowlers.
"Unfortunately the rain came and they gave the gold medal to India."
The men's knockouts rounds of the Asian Games coincided with the 50-over World Cup in India, the most prestigious trophy in global cricket.
But there was pride on the line for India's second-string squad in the nation's first appearance in the event.
"Being an Indian captain is always a lot of pressure because everyone expects the ultimate prize," said Gaikwad.
"Wherever you go, everyone just keeps on saying, 'Win gold, win gold.'"
Rain also hit the bronze playoff won by Bangladesh against Pakistan but held off long enough to at least ensure a contest.
It turned out to be a thriller as a last-ball four from Rakibul Hasan secured the win, the Bangladeshis having chased down 65 runs in five overs, the victory target set by the Duckworth-Lewis method.
The chase began disastrously, with Pakistan quick Arshad Iqbal removing Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan and captain Saif Hassan for ducks in the first three balls.
But Afif Hossain (20) steadied the innings with number four Yasir Ali (34), who went on a slogging spree to drive Bangladesh to the brink of victory.
Needing 20 runs in the last over, Yasir smashed 16 of them, including two sixes in the first four balls before being bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem.
Rakibal then whacked the left-arm spinner to the boundary on the last ball to condemn Pakistan to a medal-less tournament.
"When we heard the target everyone was confident that we would probably chase it," said Bangladesh skipper Saif.
"Rabbi (Yasir) has the experience and he delivered for us."