Co-hosts of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, USA gave Bangladesh a wake-up call as they registered a historic T20I series win. Pakistan-born pacer, Ali Khan, who was once a part of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), played a crucial role in nail-biter with three wickets. After the historic win, Khan sent a message to the other 19 teams participating in the T20 World Cup saying that it was "no fluke".
"We [USA] are hungry, and are going to try to eat whoever comes in our way," Khan said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "This is a time where we can make some changes and adjust. Team looks balanced, and all the guys are hungry. I am sure USA will do some upset [in the T20 World Cup].
"We need to put USA out there on the world cricket map. Sometimes when you win against a big side, they say oh it is a fluke. But beating them twice, back-to-back, winning the series is not a fluke. We have the talent, skills and the ability if given the opportunities."
How Khan dismissed Shakib
Khan got the crucial wicket of Shakib Al Hasan in the slog overs. He was not just economical but closed out the game in the last over. Bangladesh were bowled out for 138 in the run chase of 145 with three balls left in the innings. The 30-year-old revealed that he had a plan to get the wicket of the veteran Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib.
"The captain (Monank Patel) asked me to stay ready, and I stayed warmed up," Khan said. "I knew I would be coming on to bowl the 18th and 20th over or the 17th and 19th depending on the situation. Right before I came on, we got a breakthrough and that added pressure on Bangladesh. I just backed myself and tried to do what I do best at the death.
"The wicket got slower, and they were expecting me to bowl with pace, and that's why they threw their bats and helped me to get the inside edge with Shakib. The plan was to make them hit against the wind, which was the off side for Shakib and tried to throw the first ball away from him. He tried to drag it on and helped me get that wicket."
Major confidence booster
Khan said beating Bangladesh has given confidence to the team. He sees USA upset a few teams in the marquee event.
"It's massive. In a series like this, individual performances count as well. As a team, just shows the world what we can do if given the opportunities. If we keep playing at this associate level or lower level, you are just going to stay there. But if you have more opportunities to play against bigger sides, top ten teams, there's definitely ways of doing an upset. More opportunities against full members will help us showcase our talent," he said.
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