LAUDERHILL, Fla. — The United States cricket team made more history by reaching the second round in its Twenty20 World Cup debut after its last group game against Ireland was washed out on Friday.
Rain meant the match at Broward County Stadium was abandoned without a ball bowled, advancing the Americans to the Super Eight stage and automatically qualifying them for the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
The U.S. qualified for this T20 World Cup only as a co-host with the West Indies, but it has used home advantage to make a stunning first impression in its first major cricket tournament.
While the Americans progressed alongside unbeaten India from Group A, former champion Pakistan and winless Ireland were eliminated from Super Eight contention.
Pakistan won the title in 2009 and reached two more finals, including at the last T20 World Cup in 2022. Pakistan has failed to get out of the group stage for the first time. Ireland was expected to be a threat, too. The Irish also reached the second round on debut in 2009 and repeated in 2022.
The competition point from the washout was enough for the U.S. to advance after beating Canada in Texas and stunning Pakistan on Long Island in the first week.
Tying Pakistan in regular overs then beating it in a super over was one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history.
The Americans were thumped by India, one of the title favorites, as expected on Wednesday but the hosts’ progression without being able to play on Friday was still well deserved.
The umpires made four inspections of the wet outfield before heavy rain arrived at around 1:30 p.m. local time and the match was called off three hours after its scheduled start.
The 17th-ranked U.S. joined the West Indies, India, Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan in the Super Eight, with two more teams yet to qualify. The Super Eight starting on Wednesday splits into two groups, with each team guaranteed three games to try and reach the semifinals.
Later Friday, South Africa was playing Nepal in St. Vincent, and New Zealand was meeting Uganda in Trinidad.
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The US cricket team has made history by progressing to the second round of the Twenty20 World Cup in their debut appearance in the tournament. This achievement is a significant milestone for the team, which has been working tirelessly to improve their skills and compete at the highest level of international cricket.
The US team’s success in the tournament can be attributed to their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. The players have shown great determination and resilience on the field, facing tough competition from some of the world’s top cricketing nations.
One of the key factors contributing to the US team’s success has been their strong batting lineup. The team has displayed impressive batting performances, with several players scoring crucial runs in important matches. Their ability to build partnerships and chase down challenging targets has been a key strength for the team.
In addition to their batting prowess, the US team has also shown great skill and discipline in their bowling and fielding. The bowlers have been able to pick up crucial wickets at key moments in the matches, while the fielders have been sharp and agile in the field, preventing runs and taking important catches.
The US team’s success in the Twenty20 World Cup is a testament to the growth and development of cricket in the country. The team has been steadily improving over the years, with more young players taking up the sport and receiving proper coaching and training. This has helped raise the overall standard of cricket in the US and enabled the national team to compete at an international level.
Moving forward, the US cricket team will be looking to build on their success in the Twenty20 World Cup and continue to make strides in the world of cricket. With their recent performance, they have proven that they have what it takes to compete with the best teams in the world and make a mark on the international cricketing stage.
Overall, the US cricket team’s progression to the second round of the Twenty20 World Cup in their debut appearance is a remarkable achievement that highlights the team’s talent, hard work, and determination. It is a proud moment for cricket fans in the US and a sign of great things to come for the future of cricket in the country.
