(AP Photo)
Manoj attributed the stunning victory over the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, Pakistan, to the relentless dedication and effort put in by the team over the past 4-5 years.
Manoj, the Operational Head of the USA cricket team, expressed that their historic victory over Pakistan has sparked a shift in perspective towards cricket in the country. He highlighted that this win has raised hopes for improved infrastructure and facilities. Additionally, he emphasized the pivotal role that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will play in fostering cricket’s growth in the USA.
On Thursday, cricket witnessed a historic moment as the USA achieved an unprecedented feat by defeating Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over showdown at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Manoj attributed this remarkable victory over the 2009 T20 World Cup champions to the team’s relentless hard work and dedication over the past 4-5 years.
“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 dont have many turf wickets to practice. We only have one or two stadiums for the international matches,” Manoj told ANI.
Manoj is hopeful of working with BCCI to host series for men’s, women’s and junior teams in the USA, saying that the Indian cricket governing body has set a “template of how to make a sport popular in the country.”
“Cricket in India is very good. The way BCCI has worked in India is good. I think it’s a template of how to make 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.
Addressing the integration of players who had previously represented their respective countries, the Operational Head of the USA cricket team described it as a challenging endeavor. He highlighted the process of combining talents and mentioned that during the series against Bangladesh and Canada, the team gained valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
Before entering the T20 World Cup, the USA made a significant mark in international T20 cricket by showcasing dominant performances and securing consecutive series victories over Canada and a full ICC member nation, Bangladesh.
“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 in the team have played cricket in their respective countries before they came to the US. When they got an opportunity here, it was not that challenging… Since all players come from different countries, to gel them as a team, was a challenge. But after they played a series against Bangladesh and Canada ……..as a unit we knew our strengths and weaknesses,” Manoj said.
Following their impressive victory over the 2009 T20 World Cup champions in the ongoing tournament, the United States is now gearing up for a formidable challenge against the world-class batters and bowlers of the Indian team next week at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
