The International Cricket Council (ICC) has proposed a six-team T20I tournament for men’s and women’s cricket teams in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. According to the Telegraph, the ICC is returning to the Olympics after a long gap of 128 years.
As revealed by authentic reports, the ICC has decided to include six teams, men and women each, with a 14-member squad per team. The men’s and women’s competitions will be held consecutively in order to save money.
Cricket is among nine sports that have been shortlisted for inclusion in the initial sports program of the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, including 28 other sports. The core sports program is likely to be finalized around September, with a final decision on which sports will be featured will be made in 2023.
It has not yet been decided which six teams will be finalized to take part in the six-team T20I tournament at LA Olympics 2028. As per reports, the ICC T20I rankings (top six) for men and women will decide the contestants.
Currently, India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia hold the top six spots in the men’s rankings. At the same time, the top six women’s rankings are occupied by Australia, England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and the West Indies.
It is pertinent to mention here that only the 1900 Paris Olympics featured cricket. That year, a Great Britain side comprised of Devon & Somerset Wanderers Cricket Club members won the gold medal against a French team comprised of French Athletic Club Union members. Since then, the United Kingdom has been the reigning Olympic cricket winner.
