Pakistan May Miss Out on 2028 Olympics Cricket Due to New Qualification Rule: India vs Pakistan matches have always been among the most anticipated fixtures in world cricket. Though the two teams no longer face each other in bilateral series, they continue to clash in ICC and ACC tournaments. The Asia Cup 2025 saw three exciting encounters between the rivals, all of which ended in India’s favor.
While fans are now looking forward to their next possible meeting in the 2026 T20 World Cup, there’s also curiosity about a potential face-off at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. However, that showdown might never happen.
Why Pakistan Might Not Qualify for the LA 2028 Olympics
Reports suggest that Pakistan could miss out on the 2028 Olympic Games because of a new qualification rule. According to the updated guidelines, only one team from each continent will qualify automatically for the men’s and women’s cricket events. This means that from Asia, only one team will make the cut – and with India currently ranked as the top T20I side in the region, Pakistan might be left out.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently confirmed during its meeting in Dubai that the Los Angeles Olympics will feature six teams in both the men’s and women’s T20 categories. Instead of using the ICC T20I rankings for selection, the top teams from each region will qualify, with one additional spot to be decided through a global qualifier.
Teams Likely to Qualify
Based on the current understanding, these teams are most likely to qualify directly for the men’s event:
- Asia: India
- Oceania: Australia
- Europe: England
- Africa: South Africa
The host nation, the United States, is also expected to receive automatic qualification, while the final slot will be decided through a qualifying event.
What the ICC Said
In an official statement, the ICC said, “The Board reviewed the ICC’s ongoing engagement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, as cricket deepens its footprint in the global multisport landscape. At LA28, both men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each, comprising 28 matches in total.”
The ICC is expected to release the full qualification roadmap soon. It remains to be seen whether the USA automatically qualifies as the host or if the West Indies are also considered.
Read More
What It Means for Fans
The new rule could mean that one of cricket’s most iconic rivalries, India vs Pakistan, won’t feature at the Olympics. Unless the qualification system allows two Asian teams to participate, Pakistan will miss out on the event altogether.
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cricket tournament is set to begin on July 12, 2028, featuring a total of 28 matches across both men’s and women’s categories.
ALSO READ: IPL 2026: Sanju Samson Set For Big Move? CSK And KKR Eye Rajasthan Royals Star
