India and Pakistan's storied rivalry, spanning 59 Tests, 135 ODIs, and 12 T20s over 75 years, remains one of the fiercest in international sports. However, their upcoming T20 World Cup encounter in New York carries unique stakes.
The entire success of the New York segment of the tournament hinges on this high-profile match. A $34 million stadium was erected, with this fixture as its centrepiece. Despite large turnouts, the previous matches didn’t fill the 34,000-seat Nassau County stadium. Even India’s victory over Ireland drew 20,000 fans, who seemed sparse within the vast structure. In stark contrast, tickets for the India-Pakistan game sold out rapidly, with resale prices starting at $700, and hospitality packages reaching $10,000. Corporate boxes, empty all week, will be bustling for this game.
Though many New Yorkers are unaware of the event, it’s the talk of the town among the Indian and Pakistani-American communities. Everyone is eager to attend. Venu Pisike, USA Cricket chairman, mentioned that ticket requests have been overwhelming. USA’s bowler Ali Khan echoed this sentiment, noting he’s had to ignore countless ticket pleas due to the high demand.
Even viewing parties are in high demand. The New York Mets' Citi Field will host 27,000 fans for a big-screen showing, with another 5,000 expected at Cedar Creek Park's event. Restaurants, bars, and corner stores across the city will also be packed with fans watching the game.
Westbury, the small town hosting the event, is bracing for a massive influx. County executive Bruce Blakeman compared the event’s anticipated impact to the Super Bowl, on steroids. Security measures are extensive, involving 100 extra police patrols, 300 local officers, and reinforcements from various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI. They have even prepared snipers and SWAT teams, and are treating the event with the same level of security as a presidential visit.
The playing field itself has posed challenges. Imported Australian pitches have caused unpredictable bounce, leading to several injuries during matches. After complaints from players, the ground staff worked around the clock to improve conditions. The goal was to ensure that no one else got hurt and that teams could score over 100 runs, a mark not achieved until Ireland’s game against Canada.
Despite the ICC's independence, it must cater to the interests of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and its broadcast partners, who contribute 85% of cricket's revenue. Concerns about the pitch’s safety have caused anxiety among administrators, who are keen to avoid a fiasco.
The players are accustomed to the media frenzy surrounding these encounters. Given the strained political relations between India and Pakistan, their matches occur only in international tournaments. Over the last decade, they have clashed 18 times in such settings. This frequent competition has fostered a sense of camaraderie among the players, who share mutual respect despite the political tensions.
India, fresh off an eight-wicket victory over Ireland, looks dominant. Pakistan, reeling from a surprising super-over loss to the USA, appears less formidable. Regardless of the outcome, the organisers hope for a high-scoring, thrilling match, ensuring a memorable event for all attendees.
The focus is now on a captivating showdown that could define the success of the T20 World Cup in New York.