ICC T20 World Cup 2024: ICC may allot India vs Pakistan match to USA if the latter resolves internal issues

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After revoking USA’s status as one of the two host nations for the 2024 T20 World Cup, International Cricket Council (ICC) has given USA Cricket another chance to host the tournament if they manage to resolve internal issues. Cricket West Indies and USA Cricket won the hosting rights for the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup in November 2021 after forming a strategic partnership.

But, ICC had earlier stripped USA of the hosting and administrative rights in October 2022 after the board’s failure to comply with ICC’s financial protocols. Now according to the latest reports, the ICC has decided to continue with Cricket West Indies as a primary host of the tournament but looking to allot a few games to USA Cricket, including the much-awaited high-voltage game of India vs Pakistan.

But, USA Cricket needs to resolve its internal issues first as the ICC is looking to promote the game in new territories. According to a report from News18 CricketNext, ICC has been directly involved in almost all affairs regarding USA Cricket due to the lack of an elected body to govern the sport in the nation. Even American Cricket Enterprises, which will be running the Major League Cricket, is directly working with ICC.

Hosting India-Pakistan match could boom cricket’s popularity in America

In the most recent ICC meeting by its Chief Executive Committee on Saturday (March 18), Cricket West Indies signed an agreement as a Full Member to host the tournament with an Associate Member (USA Cricket) receiving some benefits of hosting.

However, the idea of hosting the India vs Pakistan game in USA is on the table with deliberations being conducted before taking a final call. It will definitely boost the game’s popularity in America and will also benefit the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC). The USA Cricket-sanctioned league is expected to take place in July 2023 with four of six participating teams being owned by four franchises from the Indian Premier League.