‘We Lack Infrastructure’: USA Dials BCCI’s Number For Help Amidst T20 World Cup 2024

The cricketing landscape is undergoing a subtle shift. While traditional powerhouses like India hold immense influence, countries like the USA are making significant strides in the sport. However, this growth comes with its own set of challenges, and the USA Cricket Association (USACA) has reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for guidance. In a recent statement, USACA officials acknowledged the limitations they face.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will play a very important role in cricket’s growth in the USA, Manoj, Operational Head of the USA cricket team said after the US cricket team stunned Pakistan with a historic triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Stating that the result was due to the team’s hard work over the last 4-5 years, Manoj said, “It wasn’t an easy journey for us. It’s been a work in progress. The US doesn’t have many facilities for cricket in many states. This has been a work in progress. Bringing everyone together, seeing the lack of popularity of cricket in the country, was a challenge.

“This victory is a result of the hard work of the last 4-5 years by the boys… Cricket is a new sport in the US, and we lack infrastructure. Right now we don’t have many turf wickets to practice. We only have one or two stadiums for the international matches,” Manoj told ANI.

“Cricket in India is very good. The way BCCI has worked in India is good. I think it’s a template for making a sport popular in the country. We wish to work with BCCI closely. If we have to promote cricket in such a big country, then BCCI will have a very important role in it. If the Indian team comes and plays here, whether it is at the junior level or women’s cricket, then the kind of crowd that comes to watch India’s matches, US cricket, will also get a direct result of it. If BCCI takes the initiative to promote the game in the USA, it will be of great help to cricket in the country,” he added.

“The changing perspective about cricket and our victory over Pakistan gives us hope that we will have better facilities in US cricket and in the coming days, the performance of the US team will be much better… Some players on the team played cricket in their respective countries before coming to the US. When they got an opportunity here, it was not that challenging… Since all the players came from different countries, gelling them as a team was challenging. But after they played a series against Bangladesh and Canada, as a unit, we knew our strengths and weaknesses,” Manoj added.

(With ANI inputs)