The United States (US) surprised the cricket world by beating a full-strength Bangladesh in their first two matches of a three-match T20I series just before the commencement of the T20 World Cup 2024 and their pacer Ali Khan said that the win wasn’t a fluke.
Ali was given the responsibility to defend 12 runs in the last over of the second T20I and the pacer did his job perfectly as the USA ended up winning the match by six runs.
The 31-year-old talked to the press after the match where he stated that the team is hungry and they will "eat whoever comes in their way" as the team looks balanced and they can make a difference in the T20 World Cup 2024.
“We are hungry, we’re just hungry. And we’re gonna try to eat whoever comes in our way. Especially, this is the time where we can make some changes and try to adjust what we can small little things,” Ali said after the match.
“But I think the team looks really balanced. All the guys are hungry, as I said, and we are really looking forward to the World Cup, and I’m sure USA will be there to do an upset.”
“It’s massive because as I said, we need to put USA out there on the world cricket map, and this is a pure example. It’s not just that we earned it. Sometimes you get a win against a big side, they say, Oh, it’s a fluke. But beating them twice, back-to-back, winning the series, it’s not a fluke and that means we have talent, we have skills, and we have the ability if we have given the opportunities.”
Remember, the USA is in Group A alongside Pakistan, India, Ireland and Canada and the home side is eager to make a difference in the tournament after upsetting Bangladesh with their dominant performance.
Groups for T20 World Cup 2024
Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal