Pakistan's Olympic cricket hopes dim after ICC qualification process announcement

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalised the qualification format for cricket’s much-anticipated return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, introducing a regional-based system to determine the six teams that will compete in the men’s tournament.

However, the new format could see traditional powerhouses like Pakistan and New Zealand miss out on participation.

According to The Guardian, the ICC’s decision surfaced during its Annual General Meeting in Singapore, where the council approved a qualification model prioritising continental representation. 

Under the proposed system, one team from each continent will qualify automatically, in addition to a guaranteed slot for the host nation, the United States.

This structure means India is likely to secure Asia’s spot, while Australia (Oceania), South Africa (Africa), and Great Britain (Europe) are set to claim their respective places.

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The USA, as the host country, rounds out five of the six available spots. With these allocations, prominent cricketing nations including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand will miss out on automatic qualification.

A potential sixth spot remains open, with speculation that a team representing the Caribbean could be selected, mirroring the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Barbados represented the West Indies.

However, the ICC has not yet finalised how the final place will be awarded.

Adding to the uncertainty is the situation with USA Cricket, whose governance has been under scrutiny. The ICC recently called for the USA Cricket Board to resign due to ongoing issues. If these problems are not resolved in time, a Caribbean team could potentially replace the USA.

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Pakistan and New Zealand have reportedly voiced concerns about the fairness of the qualification format, but with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) support for regional representation to promote cricket’s global growth, any changes to the model appear unlikely.

Cricket will be played in the T20 format at the LA 2028 Olympics, marking the sport’s first appearance at the Games since 1900. The men’s tournament will run from July 12 to 29, with the final scheduled for July 29. The women’s tournament will take place concurrently, with its medal match set for July 20.