captain: Monak Patel
Fitment: Canada (June 2), Pakistan (June 6), India (June 12), Ireland (June 14)
Best T20 World Cup result: Debut Tournament
The cricket world has spent much of the last century trying to rekindle love for the sport that was first played officially in New York City in the 19th century.
According to documented sources, cricket began in America earlier than anywhere else in the world.
Now, the sport is set to make a comeback to the United States with the country being awarded co-hosting rights for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Standing beneath the stars and stripes are 15 men from diverse backgrounds who call America home: 11 of the 15 are part of the vibrant South Asian community, with Indian and Pakistani ancestry;
The two South Asian nations may have a bitter rivalry, but when the players gather in the Team USA locker room, any animosity disappears.
“The respect is clear,” US coach Stuart Law told Al Jazeera.
“They are [players] “They’re not representing India or Pakistan or the West Indies or South Africa. They’re all fighting for the Stars and Stripes and they just want to put on a good show for the American people,” Law said.
“We all have different backgrounds and cultures, but you’d never know it,” he said.
The USA will be led by India-born Monankh Patel with Pakistan-born Ali Khan as their main pacer. The team also includes former New Zealand superstar Corey Anderson, known for his powerful batting and record-breaking innings in 2014 while playing for New Zealand, when he set the world record for the fastest One-Day International (ODI).
Our Captains Monanku Patel and Ali Khan are proud @ICC @T20 World Cup Wearing the jerseys for the first time at Grande Prairie Stadium! Excitement is building! #TeamUSA Get Ready #T20WorldCup! 🤩🔥💪Amour Corp. | #WeAreUSACricket 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1KhYStF57y
— USA Cricket (@usacricket) May 29, 2024
“A chance to ignite cricket”
Incidentally, the US is set to face both Pakistan and India in their T20 World Cup group.
Low, a former Australian international, said his job is to remind players to play well for the United States against the countries of their birth and forefathers.
The 55-year-old believes that if the cricket team can get “the American public” to witness and enjoy their success then they will have “done a really good job”.
“This is a real show, [an interest in] “It’s great to see cricket thriving in the country,” Law said.
The former West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka coach took over as USA manager just weeks before the tournament but that hasn’t stopped him from thinking about the future of cricket in the North American country.
“It would be awesome to think that five to 10 years from now we’ll have a team that was born, raised and trained in the United States playing for the U.S. It’s a dream come true.”
Low was initially brought in to help with team selection but his role gradually expanded before he was appointed in April.
He acknowledges there’s “not much structure” in the way players meet and practice.
“If they want to go ball, they need to get together and organise it themselves,” he revealed.
“They’re basically semi-professional players; many of them still have jobs. [they are] Available or when the team needs it.
“But I was pleasantly surprised to see them being more professional than the thorough professional work I’ve seen in the past.”
While the U.S. can’t be expected to pull off any big surprises against teams like India or Pakistan, they could manage to shock another powerful South Asian team in the weeks leading up to the World Cup.
The co-hosts defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in the three-match T20 series.
Lowe knows his team “won’t lift the trophy at the end of the World Cup” but said it would be great to “give them a few scares” in their four group matches.
The other two teams in the U.S.’ Group A are Ireland, a full ICC member, and its northern neighbor Canada, with the U.S. opening its campaign and tournament against Canada on June 1.
It was against the same opponent that America lost its first recorded cricket match over a century ago.
A memorable win in the rematch that kicked off their first-ever ICC World Cup tournament in Texas, the heart of the South Asian community, could be just the spark American cricket needs.
Three players to watch
Corey Anderson: The USA’s acquisition of Anderson was a major coup given the powerhouse’s reputation in New Zealand. The left-hander achieved the milestone in 2014 in just 36 balls, breaking the then world record for the fastest ODI century.
The 33-year-old moved to the United States in 2021 and has been a regular in Major League Cricket ever since, only recently earning a place in the national team.
Monak Patel: As captain, wicketkeeper and mainstay of the US team, Patel will play a key role in the team’s performance.
The 31-year-old, born in Gujarat, India, represented his state at under-16 and under-19 level before moving to the United States, where he made his debut in 2018.
Ali Khan: The fast bowler took figures of 3-25 against Bangladesh to help them win the three-match series and win the man of the match award.
The 33-year-old was born in Punjab, Pakistan and enjoyed a long and successful career in the Pakistan Super League before signing with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
