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India vs Pakistan - (Source: AFP)
Cricket is all set to return to the Olympics after a long hiatus of 128 years. The gentlemen's game, which last took place in the 1900 Summer Games, will return during the 2028 LA Olympics. In the latest events, the ICC and Olympic committee have decided that a total of 12 teams will feature in the marquee event.
However, there is a change in plan as the committee has revised the qualification scenarios in the recent ICC meeting in Dubai. Earlier, the plan was that the top six-ranked T20I teams would qualify for the Olympics, while the rest would have had to feature in a global qualifier.
In the latest development, the committee has decided that the top-ranked team from each continent will secure a direct berth for the Olympics, while the rest will play in the global qualifier as remarked by a administrator present during ICC meeting and quoted by Hindustan Times.
Pakistan in danger of missing out
The rule change has impacted Pakistan's chances the most as the Salman Agha-led side are currently ranked seventh. Now, according to earlier rules, Pakistan would have just looked to get into the top six to qualify and didn't have a lot of effort to do.
However, after the recent change, Pakistan now need to finish as Asia's top-ranked team, and it is a daunting task as India are currently ranked first and the Men in Green need to displace the Asia Cup winners in the rankings to earn direct qualification.
Which team will earn direct qualification as things stand?
If we look at the present scenario, if the earlier rules existed, then India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies would have qualified.
After the recent change, here's how teams would have qualified
- Asia- India
- Europe- England
- Africa- South Africa
- Oceania- Australia
- America - West Indies
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