The US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, found himself in a lighthearted exchange during a recent press briefing when asked about the USA cricket team's surprising victory over Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
During the briefing, a reporter sought Miller's comments on the USA, an associate team, defeating Pakistan, a full-member team. In a witty response, Miller humorously remarked, "I often get in trouble when I try to comment on things beyond my area of expertise, and I would say Pakistan's cricket team is certainly in that category."
The conversation highlighted the fact that cricket, despite its global popularity, remains relatively niche in the US, where sports like football, basketball, and baseball dominate. However, with the US hosting a major cricket tournament for the first time, the ICC hopes to attract more followers after the USA cricket team's historic performance so far.
On June 6, the USA cricket team secured its first-ever victory by defeating Pakistan at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The match went into a Super Over after both teams scored 159 runs, with the USA ultimately emerging victorious over a struggling Pakistani side that faced issues such as dropped catches and misfielding at critical moments.
This marks the inaugural major ICC cricket tournament hosted by the US, with the West Indies as its co-host.
India currently leads Group A, followed by the USA in second place with four points after two wins and one loss. The USA will face Ireland in their final match in Lauderhill on Friday, aiming to secure a spot in the Super 8 for the first time ever.
The light-hearted exchange with Miller underscores the growing interest in cricket within the US, as the sport looks to make further strides in the country's sports landscape.
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The thrilling Super Over triumph in Dallas by the T20 World Cup debutants over the 2022 finalists and 2009 winners was the biggest upset in the history of the competition.
But while the victory was heralded across the cricketing world, few but the hardcore fans of what is a very niche sport in the USA, witnessed it.
"Team USA just beat Pakistan in Super Over, the baseball equivalent is extra innings," they reported.
The game wasn't even broadcast on American television but was instead only shown on the cricket-specialist Willow TV subscription channel and streaming service.
But online and in social media, American sports fans quickly became aware of their team's achievement.
The tournament is being co-hosted by the USA with the game played in a converted minor-league baseball park in the Grand Prairie suburb of Dallas, Texas which holds just 7,000 spectators.
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