The sense of anticipation is building to a crescendo at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas as USA winds down their final preparations before their opening night clash against border rival Canada. 

Photo Credit: Peter Della Penna

By Peter Della Penna in Grand Prairie, Texas (Twitter/X @PeterDellaPenna)
 
On the eve of the first match of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the first ICC senior World Cup to be played on American soil, the realization is finally starting to sink in for USA’s players about their role in such a historic occasion. For USA captain Monank Patel and captain Ali Khan, being part of the tournament as co-hosts has opened up doors both on and off the field, allowing them to experience things they never dreamed of. 
 
“We have never played against India and have never played in front of 35,000 people,” Monank told DreamCricket in an exclusive interview on the eve of the tournament when asked about what he is looking forward to most once the tournament officially gets underway. “I think it’ll be the most competitive and high pressure game for us. We’ll all play the best that we can.”
 
As Monank said, both aspects of that will be historic firsts for USA, inside or outside of the World Cup. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Ali Khan. With the exception of Steven Taylor, who made his USA debut in 2010, nobody has served USA longer than Khan after he made his debut for the national team in 2016. With that comes a sense of not just where USA is now, but the journey it has taken to get to this point all the way from the lower rungs of the global cricket pathway. 
 
“For me, I’m excited to be playing in the World Cup because it’s the first ever World Cup that USA has been a part of and secondly it’s being played at home,” Khan told DreamCricket. “This is history being created and we want to be part of that history. I’m sure people will remember this forever. If you get a couple of good performances, it’s a worldwide audience and everybody is watching. It’s a great opportunity for me, my teammates and anyone who is playing in the World Cup to showcase their talent and get recognized all around the world. 
 
“It’s a special occasion. For every cricketer, it’s a dream to play in the World Cup. For us, when we started this journey back when I was first part of USA in 2016, we were just in Division Five. Now, coming from all of that and doing all the hard work and now finding myself here at the World Cup, it’s a really proud feeling for myself and I’m really excited for this.”
 
Nowhere will USA have more of a home-field advantage than at Grand Prairie Stadium for the first two of their Group A fixtures against Canada and Pakistan. Though USA has never played a full-fledged international at the venue, most of the squad participated in season one of Major League Cricket which was staged there. The sellout crowds at the 7,200 capacity venue are something that Monank feels has prepared USA’s players for the grand occasion of the opening night of the World Cup. 
 
“MLC has definitely helped us in many ways,” said Monank, who was a part of the 2023 MLC champion MI New York squad. “The crowds, now everyone is used to playing under the lights and in front of this capacity crowd. There’s always some nervousness playing the first World Cup game. It’s good that everyone has that kind of feeling. We’re not nervous because of the crowd. We have home advantage.”
 
While USA may be the home team on paper, the expectation is that the crowds for the two matches against Pakistan in Grand Prairie and against India in New York will see fans overwhelmingly support the visiting side. However, both players say that is not something that will bother them because USA is not in any different position in that regard to other more high profile teams that India comes up against whether in bilateral series or World Cup events. 
 
“Whenever India and Pakistan any side in any part of the world, their fans are more dominant than the home side,” Khan said. “This is not the first time that is going to be. But we will take that as a challenge and will support each other on the field and grab that opportunity with both hands.”
 
Khan is also keen on embracing the bigger picture that having the World Cup in the USA means, not just for USA on the field but for the ecosystem off the field. He hopes that fans will support the event, whether they are coming to watch USA or any other team, and says he has been grateful for various opportunities to take part in the promotional buildup to the event.
 
“It’s a great opportunity to be here in the World Cup and also for the fans to come and see their heroes, not just USA Cricket but fans of other teams and players coming here to play,” Khan said. “It’s a great moment and it’s history being made in this country and if you want to be a part of that history, then come and watch inside the grounds. It’s a dream come true for us to be a part of the World Cup. 
 
“It was great to be a part of all the promotional stuff but my favorite one was when we kicked off the tour at the Empire State Building. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to light up the Empire State Building with the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, most runs in T20 cricket. It was a great feeling and I got that moment to share with my wife. She was there with me and she really enjoyed it as well so that’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life even after my cricket career is over. It was just really amazing to be a part of. Thanks to ICC, USA Cricket and the T20 World Cup team for inviting us and making us part of that special occasion.”
 
As for USA’s chances of advancing to the Super 8 stage, Monank doesn’t want anyone to get carried away looking too far ahead. But the USA captain believes that if the team can establish some early momentum beginning with a win on opening night against Canada, then the belief in what is achievable can be built up as the tournament goes forward. 
 
“We are taking one game at a time but the first game against Canada is important,” Monank said. “Once we’ve played against Canada, the second game will be important. If we win against Pakistan, we still have a chance. India is always a tough game, but you never know in T20 cricket. We will do our best.”
 
Khan said that after T20I series wins over Canada and Bangladesh since the start of April, USA’s squad members will be ready to burst at the seams for their four-match slate in Group A against Canada, Pakistan, India and Ireland. 
 
“The ground preparations are looking amazing and the team is shaping up really well,” Khan said. “We’re in good form and good confidence that we have from the last week in the series win against Bangladesh. We’re going to try to bring that in and we are gonna go all guns blazing in the first game.”