USA Fast Bowler Ali Khan Eyes T20 World Cup Upsets After Historic Series Win
USA fast bowler Ali Khan said they are hungry to make some upsets in the upcoming T20 World Cup
The United States of America stunned the cricketing world by securing a second consecutive victory over Bangladesh, clinching the three-match T20I series with one game to spare. USA fast bowler Ali Khan expressed his excitement over this historic win, emphasizing that their triumph was not a fluke and promising more surprises in the upcoming T20 World Cup, to be held in the USA this year.
Ali Khan’s Bold Prediction
“We [USA] are hungry and are going to try to eat whoever comes in our way,” Khan declared. “This is a time where we can make some changes and adjust. The team looks balanced, and all the guys are hungry. I am sure USA will do some upsets in the T20 World Cup,” he added.
Proving Their Mettle
Khan stressed the importance of the USA making its mark 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 ability if given the opportunities,” he stated.
Key Moments in the Series
Ali Khan played a crucial role in the final overs, taking three decisive wickets that secured the victory. “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, which added pressure on Bangladesh. I just backed myself and tried to do what I do best at the death.”
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H2: Khan’s Strategy Against Shakib Al Hasan
Khan revealed his tactical approach against Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. “The wicket got slower, and they were expecting me to bowl with pace. They threw their bats, helping me get the inside edge with Shakib. The plan was to make them hit against the wind, which was the off side for Shakib. I tried to throw the first ball away from him, and he tried to drag it on, helping me get that wicket,” Khan explained.
Future Prospects for USA Cricket
Ali Khan believes that more opportunities against top-tier teams will help USA cricket players prove their skills on a larger stage. “In a series like this, individual performances count as well. As a team, it shows the world what we can do if given the opportunities. If we keep playing at this associate level or lower level, we will just stay there. But if we have more opportunities to play against bigger sides, top ten teams, there are definitely ways of doing an upset. More opportunities against full members will help us showcase our talent,” he said.
Overcoming Injury and Looking Ahead
Returning from an injury, Khan had a challenging start in the first T20 match, conceding 49 runs for one wicket. However, he learned from his mistakes and delivered an outstanding performance in the second game, finishing with figures of 3/25, leading the team to a historic win. “I was coming back from a major injury, and you need time in the middle to get back into rhythm. It didn’t go the way I would have liked, usually I don’t go for that many runs. But it was my first game back, no excuse. What I learnt from that game, I tried to implement in this game,” Khan reflected.
Looking Forward to the T20 World Cup
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, Khan acknowledged the need for continued improvement. “The World Cup is coming up, so we don’t have much time. I still feel there’s a lot of improvement to be done,” he concluded.
