USA cricketer issues warning to Pakistan, India ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

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The U.S. cricket team, set to co-host the ICC World Cup 2024, features a diverse squad comprising foreign players attracted by Major League Cricket (MLC), migrants from cricketing nations like India and Pakistan, and local talents afforded the opportunity to play professionally in the United States.

The team’s standout player is former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson. He 13 tests, 49 one-day internationals, and 31 T20 internationals for New Zealand from 2013 to 2018, though his career was marred by injuries.

Anderson has participated in T20 leagues in Australia, India, the Caribbean, and the UAE, before joining the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC. He recently made his first half-century for the U.S. in a T20 victory over Canada.

Another key player is Mumbai-born Harmeet Singh, who played for India in two Under-19 World Cups. Harmeet shone for the U.S. in a stunning victory against Bangladesh, only their second win against a full ICC member. He scored 33 runs off 13 balls, partnering with Anderson in an unbeaten, match-winning 62-run stand. Harmeet emphasized the significance of such victories and credited the team’s rigorous training and collective effort.

"You don't always get an opportunity to win a game against a big side like this every day," Harmeet said. "The way the boys have been training, it is a personal effort from everybody. It means a lot to us to put on a show against Bangladesh,” Harmeet said.

The U.S. will kick off the tournament against Canada on June 1, facing tougher opponents in Group A, including India, Pakistan, and Ireland.

However, Harmeet is confident in his fellow teammates and their match-winning ability against big teams.

“We are no walkovers. I think our potential is immense. We have a lot of match-winners in the team. It gives us the edge. We bat as well now,” he said.

"A lot of guys can also bowl two to four overs, like Steven [Taylor] did. Nitish [Kumar] and Milind [Kumar] can bowl a few overs. We have bench strength too. The competition within the team is helping us. Everyone wants to do well, and that's helping the side," he added.

Among the foreign-born players is Ali Khan, a right-arm fast bowler who moved from Pakistan to the U.S. at 18. Khan debuted for the U.S. in 2016 and has since played in prominent leagues like the IPL, CPL, and PSL. The team is captained by Monank Patel, an Indian-born wicketkeeper-batsman who settled in New Jersey in 2016. Patel, who played junior cricket for Gujarat, has represented the U.S. in 47 one-day internationals and 23 T20 internationals since 2019.

Andries Gous, another wicketkeeper-batsman from South Africa, joined the U.S. team in 2021 after a successful first-class career. He and Patel were the top scorers in a recent series against Canada. Milind Kumar, an allrounder with nine centuries in first-class cricket for Delhi, is another India-born player making significant contributions to the U.S. team.

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also recently acknowledged the U.S. team’s potential to challenge strong teams like Pakistan, highlighting the presence of players with Indian and Pakistani backgrounds as a competitive edge.

"I think US might give tough time to Pakistan because they also have some expats from India and Pakistan playing for them," Raja said.