NEW DELHI: Fawwaz Baksh, the tournament director for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June, envisions an unforgettable celebration infused with vibrant Caribbean flavors that will firmly establish cricket in the American sporting landscape.
With six Caribbean countries co-hosting the tournament alongside the United States, cricket's stakeholders aim to expand its reach beyond Commonwealth nations, striving for global appeal.
Baksh emphasized that New York, Miami, and Dallas will host a combined total of 16 matches, offering cricket enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of the global showcase.
"We in the West Indies are known for a great time, we're known for the party atmosphere. When fans come here and watch the games, they should expect that," Baksh told Reuters, emphasizing the festive atmosphere that will accompany the cricket matches.
Encouraging signs of ticket demand have emerged, with over 1.2 million applications from 126 countries flooding in within the first 48 hours of the public ballot's launch. Notably, the majority of applications came from the United States and the West Indies, totaling 900,000.
Baksh expressed optimism about cricket's reception in the U.S. market, particularly given the substantial expatriate population and global interest in the sport.
The upcoming T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams, promises to be the largest edition yet, with an expanded pool of expatriate fans contributing to its success in the United States.
Learning from past experiences, organizers have prioritized accessibility by offering tickets starting at just $6, aiming to attract a diverse audience and revitalize cricket in the region.
Baksh believes that the T20 World Cup can establish a new standard for global tournaments, with the potential to become a fixture in the West Indies and the USA.
"When the tournament is over, people all across the world will say 'T20 World Cup should only be hosted in the West Indies and the U.S.'," Baksh stated, underscoring the long-term aspirations of cricket's organizers.
(With inputs from Reuters)
