USA Cricket: 2024 T20 World Cup and America's Cricket Rise
The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup was co-hosted by the USA, marking cricket's first major event in America. Learn how USA cricket has grown, the Nassau County stadium built for the event, and how the USA upset Pakistan.
The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, marked cricket's most significant attempt to break into the American market. Matches were played across five venues in the USA including Nassau County International Cricket Stadium — a specially built 34,000-capacity venue outside New York City — and Dallas's Grand Prairie Stadium.
The USA vs Pakistan Upset
The tournament's defining moment came in Group A at Nassau County when the USA defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets on 6 June 2024. Saurabh Netravalkar, a software engineer from Oracle Corporation who had previously played for India Under-19, took 4/18 as Pakistan were restricted to 159. The USA chased down the target with 7 balls to spare, one of the greatest upsets in international cricket. The match was watched by over 10 million people across digital and broadcast platforms.
USA vs Pakistan, Nassau County, 6 June 2024
Pakistan 159/7 off 20 overs. USA 160/5 off 18.5 overs. Netravalkar (4/18) and Nosthush Kenjige (2/38) bowled Pakistan out within their target. USA won by 5 wickets. Pakistan's exit from the group stage followed (they also lost to India).
USA Cricket's Development
The USA has a large South Asian diaspora — over 4 million people of Indian and Pakistani heritage — that forms the primary cricket fan base. USA Cricket was admitted to ICC as an Associate Member in 1965 but made significant structural progress only after 2019 when it gained ODI and T20I status. The team is a mix of former international players (born in South Asia or the Caribbean) and American-born players developing through the domestic Minor League Cricket competition, launched in 2021.
Nassau County Stadium
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium was a temporary 34,000-capacity venue constructed in just 10 weeks at Eisenhower Park on Long Island, New York. It hosted the marquee USA vs India match (won by India), the USA vs Pakistan match, and Pakistan vs India (won by India). The pitch was a drop-in surface — imported pre-prepared wickets placed in a temporary ground. It was dismantled after the tournament.
Frequently asked questions
Did the USA beat Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup?
Yes — the USA defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in Group A at Nassau County on 6 June 2024, one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history. Saurabh Netravalkar took 4/18.
Where were 2024 T20 World Cup matches held in the USA?
USA matches were played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York, built specifically for the event) and Grand Prairie Stadium (Dallas, Texas), as well as Central Broward Regional Park in Florida.
How has cricket grown in the USA?
USA Cricket gained Full ICC Associate Member status and T20I/ODI recognition after 2019. The 2024 T20 World Cup co-hosting was the largest exposure for American cricket, driven by South Asian diaspora interest and the ICC's strategic expansion into major markets.