USA fast bowler Ali Khan has sounded a warning to the teams participating in the T20 World Cup 2024, following their series win over Bangladesh. With the tournament set to take place in the USA and West Indies next month, Ali Khan is optimistic that the debutant American team will pull off some upset victories.
Ali Khan, a Pakistani-born American cricketer, has become a key figure for the USA national cricket team. Khan’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. At an open trial, his pace and swinging yorkers impressed former West Indies legend Courtney Walsh. This led him to a spot in the 2016 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft.
After becoming a US citizen, Ali Khan’s international career took off. He debuted for the USA in ODIs in 2019, even becoming the leading wicket-taker in the tournament that secured ODI status for the team. Both in ODIs and T20Is, Khan has been a valuable asset with the ball, most recently playing a starring role in the USA’s historic T20I series win over Bangladesh in May 2024.
The recently concluded USA vs Bangladesh T20I series was a scene of historic moment for the American cricket team. Played between May 21st and May 25th, 2024, in the US, the series was a three-match T20I showdown. They clinched a decisive 2-0 series victory against a much more fancied Bangladesh side.
The first match saw a dominant performance by the US, where they secured a comfortable win by 5 wickets. The second match was a nail-biter, with the USA emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 6 runs. This series win is a monumental achievement for the USA. Bangladesh is a well-established Test nation, while the USA is still building its cricket infrastructure. This victory serves as a major confidence booster for the American team as they gear up to co-host the T20 World Cup next month.
In Ali Khan’s Words
The USA earned its maiden entry into the T20 World Cup after the ICC allotted its hosting rights for the mega event. To prepare for the grand occasion, the United States organised a home bilateral series against Canada and Bangladesh. The USA convincingly beat Canada 3-0 and secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.
While fans anticipated the United States would triumph over Canada, few expected them to challenge Bangladesh so effectively. Having defeated Bangladesh twice in recent days, the USA is now brimming with confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.
After the massive victory, the fast bowler for the USA, Ali Khan, told the press,
“We [USA] are hungry, and are going to try to eat whoever comes in our way. This is a time where we can make some changes and adjust. Team looks balanced, and all the guys are hungry. I am sure USA will do some upset [in the T20 World Cup],”
Khan won the Man of the Match award in the second T20I of the series against Bangladesh. His three-wicket haul was instrumental in helping the United States defend a 145-run target in Texas.
Win Against Bangladesh Was No Fluke
Khan emphasized that the USA team possesses the skills and capability to succeed in world cricket. Having waited for this opportunity, they are now eager to seize it with both hands.
Ali concluded,
“We need to put USA out there on the world cricket map. Sometimes when you win against a big side, they say oh it is a fluke. But beating them twice, back-to-back, winning the series is not a fluke. We have the talent, skills and the ability if given the opportunities,”
The third T20I of the Bangladesh vs. USA series is scheduled for today (May 25) at 8:30 PM IST. It will be interesting to see if Ali Khan can help the USA complete a 3-0 clean sweep.