LONDON: Liam Plunkett, a World Cup winner from England, suggests that cricket icons like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam have the potential to elevate the sport in the United States during the T20 World Cup. Scheduled to commence on June 1, the tournament will be co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies, marking the first significant international cricket event in the US.
Anticipation is high, especially for the sold-out clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan, set to take place at a temporary 34,000-seat venue in Long Island, New York. This match might witness a captivating showdown between two of the finest batsmen globally, Kohli from India and Azam from Pakistan.
Reflecting on the overwhelming demand for tickets, Plunkett, speaking from Philadelphia via video call with AFP, humorously remarked on the frenzy resembling ticket sales for major events. He highlighted the resale market, where tickets are fetching as high as $1,500, showcasing the immense popularity of cricket stars like Kohli and Azam. Plunkett drew parallels between the fame of these cricketers and that of NBA sensation LeBron James, emphasizing the global stature they hold. Additionally, he expressed disbelief that many in America are unaware of the massive viewership that contests like India vs. Pakistan attract, surpassing even the NFL’s Super Bowl.
Plunkett, aged 38, drew from his experience participating in the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) last year, a franchise tournament based in the US and featuring the same T20 format as the upcoming World Cup. Reflecting on MLC’s success, he noted the international feel of the tournament, underscoring the potential for cricket to thrive in new markets like the US.
