With cricket making a historic return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Pakistan has ramped up its lobbying efforts to secure participation in the event.
According to reports, under the current qualification structure, both Pakistan and New Zealand risk missing out. Organizers are reportedly considering a regional qualification format, which is already in place for several other Olympic sports.
So far, it is expected that India (Asia) and Australia (Oceania) will qualify directly based on their regional rankings. Likewise, the United Kingdom (Europe), South Africa (Africa), and the host nation USA, are also assured of participation. The sixth team is yet to be finalized, with speculation that it may go to a Caribbean nation or another Asian side.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared its strong intention not to miss this opportunity. PCB sources stated, “The Olympics is a prestigious event, and with cricket included, we cannot afford to be left out.”
The PCB is preparing to send an official letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the LA 2028 Games Committee, requesting the announcement of a final qualification deadline — ideally at least one year before the event to allow proper preparations.
Former captain Rashid Latif also urged the PCB to act promptly and effectively. “This is a historic opportunity, and an Olympic medal is at stake,” he said. Latif recommended using the 2024 T20 World Cup rankings as a fair basis for qualification.
It is noteworthy that cricket is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1990, with men’s and women’s matches scheduled from July 20 to 29 at the LA 2028 Games.
