Live Updates: Cricket’s return to Olympics 2028: Pakistan faces qualification challenges

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. The tournament will feature six teams each for men and women competing in a T20 format, with 15 players per team. 90 male and 90 female players will be selected for the event.

The IOC’s executive board made this decision, but the official announcement regarding the cricket venues in Los Angeles is still awaited.

Pakistan Faces Ranking Hurdles

Pakistan will need to improve its ranking to qualify for the Olympics. Currently, the men’s team is ranked seventh and the women’s team is ranked eighth in the ICC standings, while only the top 6 teams will qualify for the event. However, the ICC or Olympic Committee has not yet clarified which ranking date will be used as the cutoff.

Cricket’s Return to the Olympics After 128 Years

This is not the first time cricket has been part of the Olympics. Cricket was included in the 1900 Paris Olympics, but after 128 years, the sport is making its return to the global stage. This inclusion will not only bring more recognition to the sport but also attract new players from countries where cricket is not traditionally played.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Details

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will see 11,198 athletes from around the world. There will be a total of 351 medal events, including 55 in aquatics and 48 in athletics. Additionally, 31 sports have been included in the Olympic program.

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has expressed frustration with broadcast coverage that focuses on trivial personal details rather than substantive analysis of the sport and athlete experiences.

Speaking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, Kohli emphasized that cricket broadcasts should prioritize meaningful content. "A broadcast show needs to talk about the game and not what I ate yesterday for lunch or my favorite chole-bhature place in Delhi. You can't have that in cricket matches. Rather, you could talk about what an athlete is going through," Kohli stated.

The 36-year-old batting maestro, renowned for his exceptional fitness regimen often compared to sports icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic, also addressed speculation about his future in the sport.

"Don't get nervous. I'm not making any announcements. As of now everything is fine. I still love playing the game," Kohli clarified, indicating he has no immediate retirement plans despite approaching the later stages of his career.

Kohli, who has won four ICC titles with India, expressed enthusiasm about cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, crediting the Indian Premier League with elevating the sport's global profile.

"To be Olympic champion would be an absolutely magnificent feeling. The IPL has definitely played a massive role in that as well. Now, it has gotten us to a stage where it's part of the Olympics," he said.

Despite announcing his retirement from T20 Internationals last year, Kohli hinted at a possible return specifically for the Olympic tournament. "For the Olympics, I don't know, maybe, if we are playing for the gold medal. I just might sneak in for one game, get a medal and come back home," he remarked.

The former India captain emphasized the historic significance of cricket's Olympic debut, noting it presents "a great opportunity for some of our guys" and highlighting that "both men and women play side by side as well."

Kohli's comments reflect both his passion for cricket's continued evolution and his desire for media coverage that respects the athletic achievements and challenges faced by players at the highest level of the sport.

Cricket has officially been included in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

Cricket will be part of the Olympic Games for the first time in more than 100 years.

The formal announcement was made following the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) approval during 141st IOC Session held in Mumbai.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games has been a topic of discussion for several years, and the Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympics recommended the IOC to consider adding this immensely popular sport to the lineup.

The proposal received unanimous approval during the IOC session, marking a historic moment for the cricketing community and Olympic sports in general. 

The proposal from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (@LA28) to include five new sports in the programme has been accepted by the IOC Session.

Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash will be in the programme at…

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) October 16, 2023

"We are thrilled that cricket’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games has been confirmed by the IOC Session today,” ICC Chairman Greg Barclay said.

“To have the opportunity to showcase our great sport at the LA28 Games and hopefully many Olympic Games to come will be great for players and fans alike.

“I’d like to thank the International Olympic Committee and LA28 for their support and for their trust in our organisation’s ability to deliver a world-class event and countless new Olympic fans from all over the world.

“The innings have just begun, and we can't wait to see where this incredible journey leads,” he added.

This addition to the Olympic roster isn't limited to just cricket. The IOC has expanded the Olympic program to include five sports in total. Alongside cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash are set to make their Olympic debut in 2028.

These additions are seen as a significant step in diversifying the sports included in the world's most prestigious multi-sport event.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this development is that cricket will be played in the T20 format, offering fast-paced, exciting matches that are likely to captivate a global audience.