The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world with its audacious plan to host the 2024 T20 World Cup, featuring the iconic clash between India and Pakistan, in New York. While this move may seem exciting, it has left broadcasters and cricket enthusiasts in turmoil.
The 2024 T20 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by the West Indies and the United States. This decision was made long before the ICC initiated the sale of media rights for events in the 2024-2027 cycle. However, the ICC’s recent proposal to stage 17 matches of the competition solely in the USA has raised eyebrows and concerns.
With just nine months remaining before the scheduled commencement of the World Cup, the absence of an official venue confirmation has created significant uncertainty. This delay can be attributed to the lack of a suitable venue. The ICC’s attempt to create a venue for the high-stakes India vs. Pakistan match in New York, a city unknown for its cricket infrastructure, is causing fan apprehension.
In its quest for an appropriate venue, the ICC initially explored Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York City. Plans were drafted to construct a temporary 34,000-seat venue in the park, with construction slated to begin in January 2024 and the structure to be dismantled after the World Cup. However, this proposal encountered vehement opposition from various Bronx community groups.
A senior ICC official acknowledged that the Van Cortlandt Park plan faced numerous challenges. Hosting a high-profile match like India vs. Pakistan at a makeshift venue raised valid concerns. While an ICC venue inspection team is currently scouting alternative open spaces in the area, no concrete decision has been reached.
A report in The Guardian, titled “They’re big, bad bullies: New York’s bitter fight over a 34,000-seat cricket stadium,” shed light on the complexities of the Van Cortlandt Park proposal. Critics, including Adrian Benepe, New York City’s former parks commissioner, deemed the stadium proposal “completely unrealistic and unprecedented.”
The ICC’s proposal envisioned a major sporting event taking over a public park without charges, while spectators would be charged hundreds of dollars for tickets, a notion previously unheard of in New York.
When questioned about the venue situation in the USA, the ICC provided no definitive response. They said they would announce the West Indies and the USA venues in the coming month.
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As the 2024 T20 World Cup approaches, the uncertainty surrounding venues in the United States remains a pressing concern. The ICC’s ambitious plan to host a significant portion of the tournament in the USA raises crucial questions about the logistics of these matches.
Currently, only two venues in the USA appear prepared to host international cricket, Dallas and Lauderhill. However, neither has received ICC approval for World Cup fixtures, leaving the situation limbo. Woodley Park in Los Angeles is also under consideration, but extensive modular work is required to transform it into a suitable cricketing venue.
