T20 World Cup 2024: USA vs Canada T20 WC opener canceled? USA Cricket's hilarious media release error causes confusion
Published - 01 Jun 2024, 04:33 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:12 AM
United States of America (USA) Cricket has made a huge mistake before the start of the much-awaited T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be played from June 1 to June 29. The United States of America didn't mention the match between the USA and Canada as the inaugural game of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Cricket's popularity has been gradually increasing in the United States of America over the past few years. Major League Cricket (MLC), a professional T20 league, commenced last year in the country. The franchise cricket league attracted cricketers from international teams, starting a new era for cricket in the country.
Lauderhill, Florida, New York, and Dallas will host the World Cup matches in the United States. Dallas and Lauderhill will each host four matches in the ICC event. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York will host eight matches, including the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match on June 9.
On June 3rd, this venue will host the inaugural game of the 2024 T20 World Cup between Sri Lanka and South Africa - USA Cricket
The USA Cricket Board mistakenly announced Sri Lanka-South Africa as the inaugural match of the 2024 T20 World Cup instead of the USA-Canada match. The board stated that co-hosting the World Cup signifies a new hope for cricket in the United States.
"The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium was unveiled May 15th, marking it as a historical moment in USA Cricket history. On June 3rd, this venue will host the inaugural game of the 2024 T20 World Cup between Sri Lanka and South Africa. USA co-hosting this prestigious ICC event heralds a new hope for cricket in the states," the statement read.
The T20 World Cup will begin with the host nations playing their opening matches in early June. The USA will take on Canada in the tournament opener at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas on Saturday, June 1. The West Indies will face Papua New Guinea at the Guyana National Stadium on June 2.
The top two teams from the four groups will advance to the Super Eight stages of the tournament. The United States of America will not host any matches in the Super Eight and knockout matches, including the semi-finals and the final. The Kensington Oval in Barbados will host the summit clash on Saturday, June 29.
The Sport's Popularity Decline Due To The World Wars - USA
The statement highlighted the historical relationship between cricket and the USA. The USA board noted cricket's presence in the US since the 18th century but acknowledged its decline due to factors like world wars and societal changes.
"Cricket and the USA have had a long-standing friendship without either party fully committing to a formal union. The ardor and fervor in this connection mirrored the climate in many regions of the country, which was frigid during the winter and scorching during the summer. The history of cricket in the United States can be traced back to the 18th century. However, the sport’s popularity declined due to the world wars and other civil upheavals," the statement further added.