Here is how Pakistan can qualify for cricket at 2028 Olympics

Cricket is returning to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 2028, and Pakistan have a qualifying chance for both the men’s and women’s competitions.

As per the details, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed the full qualification pathway for the men’s and women’s tournaments, both of which will have at least one team each from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Four of the six spots in each competition will go to the highest-ranked eligible nation from each continent, based on ICC T20I rankings on December 31, 2026, whereas the fifth spot belongs to the USA as hosts, provided they appear in the top 15 of the relevant ICC T20I rankings at any point between June 30 and December 31, 2026.

If they fail to meet that requirement, the spot goes to the next highest-ranked non-qualified nation globally.

The sixth and final spot in both competitions will be decided through the new ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027, which will feature eight nations in both the men’s and women’s draws.

The ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has already confirmed the first four qualified nations for LA28, including Australia, Great Britain (via England), India and South Africa as the highest-placed eligible finishers from their respective continents, whereas Pakistan women are ranked eighth in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings as of June 29, 2026.

With India’s Asia spot already taken, Pakistan women need to finish as the highest-ranked Asian team by December 31, 2026, to secure direct qualification.

Pakistan men, on the other hand, sit sixth in the ICC Men’s T20I rankings as of June 29, 2026, behind India (1st), England (2nd), Australia (3rd), New Zealand (4th) and South Africa (5th).

In this case, Pakistan need to outrank India as the best Asian team by December 31, 2026. If Green Shirts miss direct qualification, the 2027 ICC Olympics Qualifier remains an option.