Pakistan Cricket Team Likely to Miss Out on LA Olympics

That leaves the Green Shirts on the outside looking in.

By DTD- On May 10, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympics is already generating buzz worldwide ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Games, but for Pakistan, the excitement may soon give way to heartbreak.

As of the latest ICC Men’s T20I annual rankings, Pakistan has slipped to No. 8, casting serious doubt over their qualification for cricket’s historic Olympic comeback. Only six teams will be able to contest the event, and although the ICC is yet to issue a clear qualification directive, it is expected that the cut-off date will be 2026 and the decision will be based on ICC rankings, not a one-off scheduled tournament.

That leaves the Green Shirts on the outside looking in.

It’s a precarious and unfamiliar position for a team once considered a global powerhouse in the shortest format. The descent in rankings reflects more than just numbers; it underscores a turbulent period marred by inconsistent performances, leadership changes, and a worrying inability to close out key series.

Cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics, for the first time since 1900, marks a watershed moment. It brings with it unprecedented exposure, financial opportunity, and the promise of growing the sport in untapped territories. For Pakistan, a nation steeped in cricketing culture, missing out would be more than just a sporting disappointment—it would be a national letdown.

The path to Olympics is still open for the Pakistan cricket team, but the clock is ticking. To re-enter the conversation, Pakistan must dominate upcoming bilateral series and events. The 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 World Cup provide ample opportunity for Pakistan to make a comeback.

Cricket at LA 2028 isn’t just a spectacle but an opportunity for teams to define their legacy. Pakistan has been a force in T20 cricket, from winning the ICC World T20 in 2009 to reaching the final in 2022. Missing out on cricket’s Olympic rebirth would not only be a missed opportunity but a stain on the country’s cricketing lore.

As the world looks ahead to LA 2028 with excitement, Pakistan’s cricket board must act with urgency and purpose—because Olympic dreams are built on results, and right now, those results are dangerously lacking.