New York set to host India-Pakistan 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Opening group-stage games to be held in US, as organisers hope to tap into its cricket-loving communities
December 15, 2023
The upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup promises to be a thrilling event, with India and Pakistan set to face off in a pop-up stadium on the outskirts of New York for the first time.
The face-off is expected to be the highlight of the first group stage of the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies, The Guardian reported.
Ten teams will play all their opening group-stage games in the US, as organisers hope to tap into America's large, cricket-loving expat communities.
While some changes to the schedule are still possible, it is known that England and Australia will play all their group games in the Caribbean.
England's matches in the first five-team group and, if they advance, the Super 8 round will take place in Barbados, St Lucia, and Antigua, three popular British tourist destinations.
Meanwhile, the Australians will visit some of the region's other venues, in St Vincent, Guyana, and Trinidad.
The ICC inspectors have been visiting the Caribbean venues over the last two weeks, finishing in Guyana this week, and have found that some improvement and expansion is still necessary, but have uncovered no significant issues so far.
Although the final venue has yet to be confirmed, it is likely to be in Barbados, which, according to The Guardian, has previously hosted the finals of the 2007 50-over World Cup and the 2010 T20 event.
Fans from around the world are eagerly anticipating the tournament, which promises to be a showcase of exciting cricket and fierce competition.
America will use three venues for the upcoming cricket tournament: Central Broward Park in Florida, Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas, and Eisenhower Park on Long Island.
The first two are dedicated cricket grounds, while a temporary 34,000-seat stadium will be constructed in New York, home to 711,000 Indian residents and 100,000 Pakistani-origin people.
The organisers have agreed to schedule some games, particularly those involving India, with morning starts to better serve Indian television audiences as there is a 10-and-a-half-hour time difference between New York and New Delhi.
England, the defending champions, have played in Antigua and Barbados, providing valuable insights into conditions they will face upon their return in June. The last time they played in St Lucia was in 2019.
