Cricket is officially set to make its return to the Olympics after more than a century, but fans hoping for an India vs Pakistan encounter in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are likely to be disappointed.
According to reports, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized that six men’s and six women’s teams will take part in the T20 format at the LA 2028 Games. However, the qualification process ensures that only one team per region will directly qualify, significantly reducing the chances of both India and Pakistan making it to the same tournament.
How qualification will work
As per a senior ICC administrator quoted by The Times of India, the six teams will be determined as follows:
- The top-ranked team from each continent/region will qualify automatically.
- The sixth spot will be awarded through a global qualifier event.
If the current T20I rankings are taken into account, the automatic qualifiers would likely be:
- India (Asia)
- Australia (Oceania)
- England (Europe)
- South Africa (Africa)
- USA (as host nation)
The final spot will be decided via a global qualifier, where Pakistan and other nations will compete for the remaining berth.
Why India vs Pakistan is unlikely
Since only one team from Asia will automatically qualify, and India currently ranks higher than Pakistan in the ICC T20I standings, Pakistan will need to go through the global qualifying event to secure a place. However, with just one qualifying spot available, the odds of both India and Pakistan participating in the same Olympics are slim.
ICC’s statement
In its official release, the ICC stated:
“At LA28, both the men’s and women’s T20 events will feature six teams each, comprising 28 matches in total, as cricket deepens its footprint in the global multisport landscape.”
The qualification framework will be finalized and announced officially in the coming months, but as things stand, a blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash at the LA Olympics 2028 appears highly unlikely.