
"Universe Boss" Chris Gayle feels the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 edition will help in the game's expansion in the United States of America. The mega event will take place in the USA and West Indies, which gets underway on June 1. The T20I great mentioned the significanceof the T20 WCin bringing cricket to a global audience, especially within the United States. Further, he elaborated his stance byhighlightingthe success of a T20 tournament held in the USA in 2023, indicating a growing interest and market for the gamein the country.
Speaking to AFP in an interview, from Barbados, Gayle said, "The ICC (International Cricket Council) has been trying to get cricket on a global scale within the USA." The West Indies batter added that the game between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, to be held in New York on June 9, will help generating maximum eyeballs and spreading the game's popularity in USA."
"India v Pakistan is in New York, I'm sure it's going to be phenomenal. They (the USA) had a T20 tournament last year and it was a success. It's a big market, we just have to hope it will be a success within the United States," Gayle further opined.
The Indo-Pak encounter is a much-awaited match amongcricket fans in the USA. It will help in popularising the game in the country and is expected to be a sellout. Both India and Pakistan are in Group A, along with Ireland, USA and Canada.
Gayle also spoke at length on the chances of his national side. West Indies, thetwo-time winners, are in Group C along withNew Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
"We missed out on the 50-over World Cup (in 2023) so this will be something fantastic for the guys to actually play for something. We just want to be in the (June 29) final here in Barbados. Anything is possible when you make it to the final."
"I'm excited for the people, to actually see a bit of cricket," added Gayle, who was the first batter to hit a T20I century during the opening game of the inaugural T20 WC in 2007.