The T20 World Cup kicks off tonight in Dallas, Texas, but all eyes will be on the epic showdown between India and Pakistan in just over a week’s time.
The Indian team is already based in New York and will open the tournament against Ireland at the purpose-built Nassau International Stadium on Wednesday before shifting their focus to a crucial clash with neighbours Pakistan on Sunday.
The green-clad team arrived in Dallas on Saturday after a tough T20 series defeat in England and they will have to hit the ground running straight away as they take on hosts USA in Texas on Thursday before taking on India in New York.
The excitement surrounding the showcase T20 event has been fairly muted, especially in North America, but there is expected to be plenty of excitement once the matches begin.
The India-Pakistan match is seen as crucial in the sport’s mission to boost its popularity in the vast American market, but it has attracted unwanted attention and led New York to beef up security for the World Cup.
“In preparation for the World Cup, my team has been working with federal and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of participants,” Gov. Kathy Hockle wrote on Twitter. “While there are no credible threats at this time, I have directed the NYPD to step up security efforts and will continue to monitor as the tournament approaches.”
ABC News, citing a New York Police Department bulletin, reported that the tournament and related events in the city may be subject to surveillance by extremists.
Nassau County Police Chief Patrick Ryder said in April that the World Cup, specifically the India-Pakistan match, was under threat.
For now, the tournament is gearing up for a relatively tame kickoff, with hosts the United States facing off against Canada at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
The match is significant as it will not only be the first World Cup match to be played in the country, but also commemorates the first-ever international cricket match, a three-day match played between the United States and Canada in 1844.
US vice-captain Aaron Jones said the team wanted to play “fearless” cricket in front of their home fans.
“Fearless cricket, positive cricket, smart cricket – I think that’s what we’re really trying to do wholeheartedly,” Jones said.
“We don’t want to have any regrets. We want to give it our all. And of course, if we win, great. If we don’t, that happens in cricket. But we don’t want to have any regrets.”
Updated: June 1, 2024, 11:25 AM
