As Dallas hosts several matches of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the city's burgeoning cricket scene remains largely unnoticed by many of its residents, including an Ethiopian cab driver who expressed surprise upon learning about the tournament.
The cab driver, who has lived in Dallas for 30 years, was astonished not only to discover that the World Cup was taking place in his city but also that a team from Bangladesh was participating. His reaction is emblematic of a broader unfamiliarity with cricket in the Texan city, despite serving as a key venue for the event.
Catherine, a rideshare driver who introduced herself only by her first name, also knew little about the World Cup. She remarked that she had a vague understanding of cricket, likening it to baseball and noting that it involved a “sort of flat bat.”
Dallas is quickly emerging as a hub for cricket in the USA, driven by a favourable climate and a significant South Asian diaspora passionate about the sport. This positive environment is fostering the sport's growth across the country. However, for many residents like the Ethiopian cab driver and Catherine, cricket remains relatively unknown. Both were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the stadium that is becoming a focal point for cricket in the USA.
Amidst this growing but still nascent awareness, the Bangladesh team arrived in Dallas with the aim of regaining some pride after a demoralising series defeat against the USA. Their World Cup campaign is set to begin on Saturday at 6:30am (Bangladesh time).
On Wednesday, the Bangladesh team practiced at a facility adjacent to the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, which can accommodate 7,000 fans. However, the practice area, still seemingly under development, posed challenges for the team's fast bowlers—Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib—who struggled to find sufficient space for their full run-ups.
The difficulties faced by Taskin and his fellow pacers highlighted a sense of underpreparedness as their World Cup campaign approached.
Despite having two warm-up matches scheduled before the main event, the team's preparations were hampered. Their first warm-up match ended in a heavy defeat to India, offering a chance to assess their weaknesses. The second warm-up match against the USA was abandoned due to inclement weather, further disrupting their preparation.
Afif Hossain, a left-handed batter traveling with the Bangladesh team as a standby player, hesitated when asked about the quality of the practice facilities. His reluctant “yes” suggested the facilities were less than ideal for preparing for a major tournament.
On a positive note, Taskin Ahmed, the team's key pace bowler, resumed bowling at full strength on Wednesday, providing a boost for the team. Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu, Bangladesh's chief selector, expressed optimism about the team's prospects in the World Cup.
“Injury was a big concern for us even before we came to the USA,” he acknowledged during a media interaction in Dallas. “Now Shoriful (Islam) needed six stitches, which is a new concern. We need more time to assess his recovery. But the good news is that Taskin is expected to play against Sri Lanka on Friday if there are no further setbacks.”
