Pakistan to play politics for Olympic Cricket spot, begin backdoor lobbying with ICC, LA 2028 organizers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce a continental qualification system to decide the six participating teams for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly planning to lobby for the national team’s inclusion on the Olympic stage.

Full Member nations like Pakistan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka might miss the Olympics due to a new qualification format. The ICC approved a proposal allowing only one team per continent to qualify during its recent AGM in Singapore. However, the decision received backlash from a few cricketing nations.

Cricket’s Olympic Return and Qualification Format for LA 2028

Cricket is set to return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, with the men's and women's T20 events scheduled from July 20-29 at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Six teams will participate in both the men's and women's T20 events.

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India and Australia are expected to secure direct qualification based on their rankings from Asia and Oceania, respectively. Great Britain (Europe), South Africa (Africa), and the United States will also qualify. The sixth slot remains uncertain but could be filled by another Asian country or a Caribbean team.

Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are unlikely to qualify for the event. It is worth mentioning that there are concerns over USA Cricket’s governance, which may lead to disqualification.

Pakistan to Fight for Olympic Cricket Berth at LA 2028

The PCB is preparing to take formal action to secure a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Notably, the board is planning to send a letter to both the ICC and the LA Games Committee, requesting them to set a qualification cut-off date at least a year before the Games begin.

"Olympics are a prestigious event, and with cricket included, we cannot afford to miss out," a PCB source told Telecom Asia Sport.

"A letter will be sent to both the ICC and the LA Games Committee urging them to announce a qualification cut-off date, ideally one year prior to the Games," source added.

"PCB is in talks with the NZC and will push their suggestions of a suitable cut-off date or a qualifying event to decide two or one team. Pakistan will definitely fight for an Olympic place, at least for their men’s team."

PCB Must Engage With Both ICC and LA Committee - Rashid Latif

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif urged the PCB to take proactive steps to ensure the team qualifies for the 2028 Olympics, adding that it is a valuable opportunity to win a medal.

“Olympics are prestigious, and a medal is at stake,” Latif told www.telecomasia.net

"PCB must engage with both the ICC and the LA committee, and suggest using the T20 World Cup standings in March next year as a qualification benchmark," he further added.

Pakistan are currently eighth in the ICC Men's T20I rankings but still have an opportunity to climb before the qualification deadline.

Also read: Huge blow for India: Rishabh Pant ruled out of Asia Cup and West Indies Tests