As cricket prepares for its historic return to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028, reports suggest that traditional heavyweights Pakistan and New Zealand could miss out on automatic qualification under the proposed tournament structure. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is finalizing a format that would allow only six men’s and six women’s teams to participate, with a strong emphasis on regional representation.
According to the draft model, one slot is reserved for the host nation, the United States, while the remaining places are allocated based on continental pathways. India is expected to take Asia’s berth, Australia the Oceania spot, South Africa the African place, and a combined Great Britain side the European position. That leaves just one open berth to be contested, potentially through a high-stakes qualifying tournament.
For Pakistan, the situation is particularly stark. Despite being a historically dominant force in T20 cricket, they currently sit outside the top Asian rank behind India and Sri Lanka. With only one direct place for Asia, Pakistan would be forced into the qualifying playoff unless the format changes. This raises the real possibility of the team not being present when cricket marks its Olympic comeback.
New Zealand’s case is equally frustrating. Ranked among the top T20 sides globally, they are disadvantaged by the regional system that gives Oceania’s sole automatic slot to Australia. Unless a separate mechanism is created or the number of participating teams expands, New Zealand too may have to battle through additional qualifiers to secure their place.
The proposed structure has already sparked debate among cricket boards. Critics argue that the heavy focus on geography over rankings undermines merit and risks excluding elite teams from the event. Pakistan and New Zealand have reportedly voiced concerns to the ICC, pushing for a model that balances regional representation with global competitiveness.
Adding to the complexity, the ICC is working to finalize governance details for USA Cricket to ensure the host nation meets standards. Any failure there could open the door for alternate qualifications, potentially benefiting a Caribbean team or another associate nation.
With only six slots available and cricket’s global powerhouses jostling for limited positions, the qualification pathway is set to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. A final decision on the structure is expected soon, but as it stands, both Pakistan and New Zealand face the prospect of missing out on cricket’s first Olympic appearance in more than a century unless they navigate an additional playoff or the ICC adjusts the model.
For players and fans alike, the stakes are high. The 2028 Olympics offer a rare opportunity to showcase cricket on one of the biggest sporting stages in the world, and missing out would be a significant blow to both nations. As the final pathways are hammered out, the coming months will determine whether these storied teams can find their way into the Los Angeles spotlight or watch the event unfold from the sidelines.