“Cricket Fever Sweeps America: T20 World Cup Tickets Sell Out in Record Time”
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (United States) (AFP) – Cricket enthusiasts in the United States are buzzing with excitement as the highly anticipated T20 Cricket World Cup tickets have sold out in record time. Organizers of the tournament are thrilled by the demand for the sport in the country, with an oversubscribed public ballot for tickets for the game between cricket rivals Pakistan and India in New York.
The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States, is set to make history as the first international tournament held in the US. With matches being played in Lauderhill, South Florida, and Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, organizers are hoping to attract not only traditional cricket fans but also American sports enthusiasts.
“We had an incredible response for tickets, showing that there is a huge demand for cricket in the USA,” said T20 World Cup USA, Inc. CEO Brett Jones. “India-Pakistan is always a highly anticipated game in every World Cup, and we are thrilled to have this match take place in the USA.”
While the focus is on serving immigrant communities who have a passion for cricket, organizers also hope to spark curiosity and interest in the game among Americans. With T20 cricket set to be included in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, followed by the Brisbane Olympics in 2032, the sport will have a global platform to showcase its charm and benefits.
“We want to reward our cricket fans and spike curiosity about the game,” said Jones. “We also hope to start a bigger conversation about cricket and its community benefits in the US.”
The tournament will feature teams from Ireland, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Canada, in addition to the host nation. With preparations underway for the facilities and infrastructure needed for a global tournament, the excitement for cricket in the US continues to build.
“Our goal is to showcase the entertainment value of cricket in a sports-obsessed country like the US,” added Jones. “We want to prove that cricket can be just as thrilling as any other sport.”
The T20 World Cup will kick off on June 1 with the USA facing Canada in Texas. Vice-captain of the USA team, Aaron Jones, hopes that their performances will inspire young cricket enthusiasts in the country.
“We want to show the world that the USA can be a cricketing country and serve as a role model for kids who are just starting out in this sport,” said Jones.
© 2024 AFP
