The USA cricket is over the moon right now and rightfully so! On Thursday, the 2024 T20 World Cup debutants stunned the 2009 edition champions, Pakistan in Texas. The match went into the Super Over, but the USA responded well under pressure – both with the bat and the ball, and bagged two crucial points. The win now takes Monank Patel and company to the top of the table.
Points Table – Group A – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
| Position | Team | Matches | W/L | Points |
| 1 | USA | 02 | 2/0 | 4 |
| 2 | India | 01 | 1/0 | 2 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 01 | 0/1 | 0 |
| 4 | Canada | 01 | 0/1 | 0 |
| 5 | Ireland | 01 | 0/1 | 0 |
Also Read: USA Cricket Team: Pro Athletes or Daily Wage Workers?
Who would have envisioned this situation at the start of the T20 World Cup? USA sits at the top spot with two wins from two matches, followed by India, with one win and two points. Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland are yet to open their account, with three matches each pending at their disposal.
What if Pakistan makes an early exit?
USA’s win over Pakistan is celebrated worldwide, but with the latter now on the brink, the ICC might feel the pressure, revenue-wise. An early Pakistan exit from the tournament might have repercussions for the game’s governing body.
Such is the unpredictability of the Pakistan cricket team, that it has now put the ICC into jeopardy, with their shameful loss to the USA.
a) Market Impact
Pakistan is one of the most followed teams in world cricket and brings massive viewership and sponsorship. If Pakistan makes an early exit from the T20 World Cup, this could lead to a decrease in interest and revenue.
b) Broadcast ratings
Matches featuring Pakistan are a goldmine for broadcasters and attract high TV ratings. An early exit from the tournament could affect advertising revenue and broadcast deals for the ICC.
c) Sponsorship and Advertising
Leading brands invest heavily in top teams with large fan bases, and Pakistan happens to be one of them. A poor showing from Pakistan and an early exit could sway the sponsors and the advertisers away, thus impacting the ICC’s future financial aspects.
d) Merchandise Sales
Pakistan’s poor showing in the World Cup could result in a decline in the sales of team-related products. They have one of the biggest fan followings around the world, and their merchandise sales come in the top 3, behind India and Australia.
e) Competitive Balance
For the moment, it looks like the USA is a strong contender to make it to the Super 8s. However, there is a huge chance of them succumbing to big-match pressure in the knockouts. A side like Pakistan would add more competitive balance to the T20 World Cup.
f) Global appeal
A strong Pakistan team is so critical for the ICC to fulfill its aim of globalizing cricket. Pakistan’s strong performance is vital for sustaining global engagement.
Conclusion – Can India save the ICC?
To conclude, while the USA’s win is a significant achievement for them, it poses several challenges for the ICC in terms of viewership, sponsorship, and maintaining the tournament’s competitive allure. The USA’s win over Pakistan may lead to financial losses for the ICC, affecting revenue, broadcast ratings, sponsorship, merchandise sales, and global interest in the tournament.
Will the India vs Pakistan match on June 09th be a knockout one for Babar Azam and company? If yes, then the ICC should be ready to bear losses in millions, this time thanks to the USA. Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has already fired a warning. A lot more is now riding on India’s shoulders, and the stakes have risen way above anyone’s expectations.
Is Pakistan’s stay at the 2024 T20 World Cup all but over?
