Ricky Ponting expresses excitement for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clash

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting is anticipating 'exciting times' for cricket in the USA ahead of the much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup clash. The India-Pakistan match will be contested at the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 9.

Ponting recalled the epic encounter between India and Pakistan that was held at the iconic MCG during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. Former India captain Virat Kohli played a knock of unbeaten 82 runs and helped India to win the game against Men in Green. Meanwhile, Ponting believes that New York will witness a fantastic game this year when the two giants lock horns.

"I've seen it firsthand here in Australia, in Melbourne last time around, where there were 95,000 people in the stadium and another 50,000 people outside the stadium. You can imagine what it's going to be like in New York. So, really exciting times for the world game," Ponting said in the latest ICC review.

Also read: Ricky Ponting drops major Rishabh Pant update ahead of IPL 2024

"I think there's a great opportunity to continue to grow and promote the game in that part of the world. And that's a big part of the reason that I took the coaching job at Washington Freedom, to be a part of that sort of movement to grow the game in the US.

"There's obviously so many expat Indians, West Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, and Afghans in that part of the world that we know that they will continue to promote the game. But what we have to do is get the Americans into loving and understanding the game of cricket,” he added.

There'll be the potential to grow the tournament out in USA: Ponting 

The USA participated in the first-ever international cricket match in 1844. Meanwhile, Ponting feels that cricket has gained popularity in the country in recent years. The former Australia captain is expecting a very good chance of quick growth in cricket in the USA as them being the co-host of the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

"I'd like to think it can become really big and as I said, actually become really big quite quickly. What I'm hearing, I think part of the franchise model with the teams that were in last year was everyone has to sort of build their own stadium in the different cities that were playing the games. And I think when that happens in a few years, there'll be the potential to grow the tournament out, maybe add a couple more teams.

Also read: 'You love having guys like him around' - Ricky Ponting bats for Steve Smith's T20 World Cup consideration

"And once you start playing in not just the six but in a lot of these big cities in the US, then I think there's an opportunity for great growth and quick growth. And we shouldn't sit back and just think in two years it's going to be a mini IPL, it probably won't be that. But I think that's what we should all be aiming for and doing our best to promote the game the best way that we can," the 49-year-old further said.