Jiben Roy: Cricket in the USA

On November 15, 2023, I wrote an opinion column in The Dispatch about the game cricket, which was not a very popular game in the USA at that time. But the situation has changed. Currently, the World cup cricket game is taking place in the land of USA and West Indies. Already 19 games took place in Dallas, New York, and the West Indies. Another 19 games will be played, and the Super 8 teams will be determined. After the group stage games, four teams will be in the semi-finals and then the final.

I am certain that not a large number of Americans are watching, but naturalized Americans and immigrants are watching the game, which is being telecasted on the Willow Cricket TV channel every day, not to mention the in-person spectators.

Most importantly, this time the USA cricket team – as one of the host countries – got the entry and is playing. Frankly speaking, the performance of the USA is praiseworthy. In fact, both the host countries are doing great. Hopefully, they will be able to enter the Super 8 teams. Each inning is getting more and more exciting, and the popularity is growing. I am sure cricket will soon be the most popular game in the world after football (soccer).

Dispatch readers, if you have not watched any cricket game yet, watch it now. I reiterate what I had written one and half years back:

“To me cricket is a very artistic and skillful game. The postures of batters are wonderful to watch. The bowlers are dancing while bowling the balls. The fielders are jumping in the sky to catch a ball. It is indeed amazing to watch a game of cricket.”

World-renowned rival countries, such as India and Pakistan already played a game in Long Island, New York, and it was a nail-biting game and as usual, India won. Excitingly, the USA has beaten mighty Pakistan too.

This time, the qualifying countries as an entry in the World Cup included Uganda, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Oman, Nepal, Canada, and USA.

It is interesting to note that the countries where I have lived in the past or became a naturalized citizen, are doing good. For example, Australia, India and USA are on the road to the Super 8. Maybe one of them will be the champion at the end.

Isn’t that great that you fight in the game rather than in a war? Game does not kill but the war kills indiscriminately.

Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. He writes occasional column in the Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].

Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].