Cricket fans worldwide are excited that their favorite sport will make a comeback at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where six teams each in men’s and women’s categories will compete for gold in T20 contests from July 12 to 29
This is only the second time in the Olympics history that cricket will feature as one of the sports, 128 years after its debut in Paris Olympics in 1900.
However, Asian fans felt nervously anxious when newspapers reported that the International Cricket Council, the sport’s governing body, in its meeting this week finalized plans to pick five teams from five world continental regions while the sixth team will have to qualify for a spot in the Olympics.
🏆🇵🇰 WINNERS of the KFC Presents VGO TEL Mobile Pakistan Vs South Africa ODI Series 2025 🏆#PAKvSA | #GreenPeYaqeen | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/6S94mIMNZA
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 8, 2025
Asia has the largest number of Test playing teams that include, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh while Afghanistan has been performing well in the shorter formats of the game.
The ICC has not yet officially announced the formula to decide which teams will make it to the coveted Olympics gala.
If the Times of India report is correct, the current rankings make India qualify from Asia, Australia from Oceania, England from Europe, South Africa from Africa, to be automatic choices while United States or West Indies will qualify from the Americas. The sixth team will be the winner of a qualifying tournament.
India is world champion!!🏆✨✨
Congratulations to 🇮🇳 Women’s Cricket Team @BCCIWomen for a historic first win at the @ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup!
A thrilling end to an exciting & memorable tournament.
You inspire us and the world!#TeamUNinIndia with #WomenInBlue.#CWC25 pic.twitter.com/CUzWn5m3sr
— United Nations in India (@UNinIndia) November 2, 2025
But the Olympics are three years away from now, and rankings can fluctuate depending on the performance of teams in bilateral series and mega international events.
So, based on common sense, it would not be known until 2028 or perhaps late 2027 that the world knows exactly who fares in the top notches and plays the Olympics.
Pakistan, one of cricket’s powerhouses for long, is going through a rough patch lately. The team has been in the making for far too long. The sooner the country has a competitive outfit, the better its chances of appearing at the Los Angeles Olympics.
What about the United States, which has some good quality players, mainly from cricket playing nations.
🚨 RECORD ALERT 🚨: #TeamUSA break the record for their BIGGEST win in ODI history by 243 runs vs the UAE! 👏
Congratulations, USA! 🎉 #WeAreUSACricket 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VOBic4MGGQ
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) November 3, 2025
Americans have also shown interest in the sport since their encouraging record during the last world cup. In recent months, several social media channels anchored by American baseball experts or players from mainstream America, have been raising awareness about the sport.
As hosts, will the U.S. automatically qualify or have to fight it out in a qualifying tournament to find a place among the six contestants?
Since the ICC has not yet made an announcement detailing rules and criterion for participation of teams in the Olympics, many questions remain unanswered.
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Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 20 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 2010.
