Rain lashed the carefully manicured grass at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on Friday. Not a single ball was thrown in the match between hosts United States and Ireland before the match was canceled due to weather.

This would be the last match for the US in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. But this won’t be the last time they will compete in the tournament they are co-hosting with the West Indies.

The debuting US team, captained by Monank Patel, secured a Super Eight place at the T20 World Cup, alongside India in Group A, after taking a point from the abandoned match against Ireland.

While some hearts fluttered, some broke. Last year’s finalists, Pakistan, were eliminated; this is due to their undercooked and erratic nature. But it is also a result of the unexpected rise of the American team in the tournament.

Following their wins over Bangladesh and Canada in the run-up to the T20 World Cup, the US demonstrated their pre-tournament success was no surprise as they shocked Pakistan at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The hosts had cruised to victory on their T20 World Cup debut in their tournament opener with their impressive come-from-behind victory over Canada, but they showed seasoned professionalism to keep Pakistan – a two-time finalist and the 2009 winners – narrowly defeated.

With an exciting start to their World Cup campaign, it looked like the US were on to something early.

The win over Pakistan marked the first major upset of the T20 World Cup and ensured the US made it two wins from two matches, boosting their confidence.

During that famous victory, they withstood the pressure admirably and fought to the end. In the end, it was their calm demeanor that prevailed.

While Ireland struggled at the bottom of the table after defeats to India and Canada, the US looked clear favorites even before their qualification was confirmed on Friday.

Before the tournament started, American pacer Ali Khan had made it clear that he intended to cause some unrest. Sure, the win over Pakistan was a big enough surprise, but to completely eliminate them was unexpected indeed.

“We are hungry and determined to overcome every obstacle in our way,” Khan had said. “I am confident that the US will cause some unrest at the World Cup.”

They reaffirmed their pre-tournament claims that they were able to overcome the contradictions they face.

While setbacks are not uncommon in Twenty20 cricket, beating the Indian team would be a huge challenge.

They had not played India in any format, and in New York they would come face to face with an Indian side packed with T20 and Indian Premier League veterans.

India, expected to win, by seven wickets. However, it was the US’s ability to ensure that India did not walk away with the match that spoke volumes about the formidable force they are steadily becoming.

Pacer Saurabh Netravalkar – whose shares rose during the tournament – ​​could extend his notice period.

Also read:
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Saurabh Netravalkar’s journey from an Indian hopeful to an American cricket star

As cricket tries to find its way in the US market between baseball, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL), the success of the national cricket team in their debut at the T20 World Cup will undoubtedly turn heads.

This increased visibility not only helps tap into and expand the market but also provides many aspiring cricketers as role models like Netravalkar and Khan to look up to.

Netravalkar and Khan, who have roots in India and Pakistan respectively, are just two examples among the group of players from different cultural backgrounds who reflect the multicultural essence of America.

The growth of cricket in the US may have been a big goal in the lead-up to the World Cup, but the team’s unexpected success in the tournament could certainly become a big factor in that.

And by securing a spot in the Super Eight, the hosts have also secured qualification for the next edition of the T20 World Cup. This is certainly not a one-off for the American team.