On Friday, June 14, USA and Ireland were set to face off in a crucial 2024 T20 World Cup Group A encounter at the Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, Florida. However, the game was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The past week has seen torrential rain in the city, just as the tournament began to move to the south-eastern tip of the USA. Lauderhill's previous match was on June 11, a Group D fixture between Nepal and Sri Lanka but that was also abandoned before it could start.
'Luck of the Irish' not enough
The teams most affected by the weather in Florida are those in Group A, who have been scheduled to play three of the four games here. This match was especially important for Ireland, who needed to win both their remaining games (against USA and Pakistan) in order to stand any chance of progressing to the Super Eight stage. But now, they are out of the running as well.
Pakistan out, USA in to Super Eights
This particular fixture was also vital for Pakistan, who needed an Irish win to stay alive in the competition. As things stand now, the point each for USA and Ireland means the former have reached a total points tally of five, and Pakistan can only get to four if and when they beat Ireland in their final match. India are on top of the table with six points, meaning Pakistan cannot overtake either side. Their campaign is over.
For USA on the other hand, it is time to rejoice. The Americans skipped the qualifiers for this tournament, thanks to being one of the host nations. This is their first-ever appearance at a major senior men's ICC tournament, and their qualification to the Super Eights comes largely as a surprise. In a group where India and Pakistan were heavy favourites to progress, even the most optimistic of viewers had only foreseen Ireland potentially usurping them. They now join India in the Super Eight stage as the qualifiers from Group A.
Indeed, for both sides the defining match of the tournament so far was their game against each other in Dallas. After USA's bowlers rocked Pakistan early, the 2009 champions made their way to 159-7. In reply, the Americans had the chase under control before Pakistan pulled things back to force a Super Over. Some excellent running from Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh then ensured that 18 was too much for Pakistan to chase, and they took home a shock win.
There will be much soul-searching to do for Pakistan's players and management now. After a disappointing 50-overs World Cup as well as a captaincy and boardroom merry-go-round of personnel, one wonders when things might settle down for them.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.
