Bilateral cricket series between Pakistan and India have not taken place for many years. Consequently, whenever a global event features cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) often arranges a highly anticipated clash between the two countries. With cricket set to make a return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, fans had hoped to witness the traditional India-Pakistan rivalry once again. However, the qualification criteria recently announced have significantly reduced the likelihood of such a showdown.
The cricket tournament will feature both men’s and women’s competitions, with six teams participating in each category. The ICC convened a meeting in Dubai to determine how countries will qualify for the Olympic event. Initially, it was proposed that the top six teams in the ICC T20 rankings would automatically qualify for the Olympics. However, for global tournaments like the Olympics, the ICC emphasised the importance of representation from all continents. If qualification were based solely on rankings, some regions might not have any representatives, limiting cricket’s global exposure at the Games.
Under the new system, one team from each of ICC’s five regions will earn direct entry to the Olympics. The sixth team will be determined through a separate qualification tournament. For example, India, ranked eighth overall, will qualify automatically as the highest-ranked Asian team. Conversely, New Zealand, ranked fourth globally, may not secure a spot if Australia ranks higher within the Oceania region. Pakistan can only hope to meet India on the Olympic pitch if it successfully navigates the qualification stage.
A senior ICC official explained after the meeting: “We have finalised the selection process for Olympic participants. Five teams will qualify based on regional rankings, and the sixth team will emerge from the qualification tournament. The ICC will provide detailed guidelines at the appropriate time.”
Current qualification status based on rankings:
| Region | Team | Qualification Status |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | India | Direct entry (highest-ranked Asian team) |
| Oceania | Australia | Direct entry |
| Europe | England | Direct entry |
| Africa | South Africa | Direct entry |
| Americas | West Indies* | Under discussion** |
*As the host nation, the United States is also eligible to claim a spot. Discussions are ongoing regarding the Americas representation.
**Final confirmation pending.
The cricket events at the 2028 Olympics will take place from 12 to 29 July. The women’s medal matches are scheduled for 20 July, while the men’s medal matches will conclude on 29 July. A total of 28 T20 matches will be played, with each team comprising 15 players. Cricket will return to the Olympics after 128 years, having previously appeared only once in 1900, featuring England and France.