Before embarking on their T20 World Cup mission, Bangladesh will play a warm-up match against India. This preparatory match will take place on June 1. The newly constructed Nassau Stadium will be inaugurated through this match in preparation for the World Cup.
On June 9, India and Pakistan will face off on the same field in New York. The match between Bangladesh and India will mark the inauguration of the stadium.
Last Wednesday, the stadium was unveiled by the ICC. Present at the event was T20 World Cup ambassador and sprinter Usain Bolt. The stadium in New York City has a seating capacity of 34,000.
It is cricket’s first modular stadium, which means it is built urgently and at a lower cost, making it affordable for spectators. With ample space, many fans can watch their favorite teams play.
The ICC constructed this stadium within five months, starting in January. The entire construction was completed and unveiled last Wednesday. It features a ‘drop-in pitch’ wicket, constructed in another U.S. city, Florida, and then installed here.
The pitch was created by the Australian construction company Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions, headed by Damian Hough, the head curator of Adelaide Oval. The outfield was built by the U.S. construction firm Landtek Group.
As the World Cup approaches, a star-studded opening ceremony was held before the inauguration of Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Special guests included Usain Bolt, the ambassador of this year’s T20 World Cup, former New Zealand cricketer and current U.S. World Cup partner Corey Anderson, West Indies cricket legend Sir Curtly Ambrose, Pakistani star Shoaib Malik, and English cricket star Liam Plunkett.
In addition, other sports stars were present at this glittering event. U.S. male basketball star John Starks and female star Elena Delle Donne, baseball star Bartolo Colón, American football star Victor Cruz, and American fencing player Ibtihaj Muhammad were among the guests.
To commemorate the official opening of Nassau County Cricket Stadium, the stars signed a large cricket bat that will be displayed at all World Cup matches held at Nassau Cricket Ground. The World Cup matches will be played at this ground from January 3 to January 12. Bangladesh will face South Africa at this ground on June 10.
Speaking at the inauguration, T20 World Cup ambassador Usain Bolt said, “I come from the Caribbean region where cricket is life. We are proud to co-host with the United States this time.” Sprinter Bolt added, “The new stadium is fantastic. I hope playing here and watching the games will be comfortable.”
This temporary stadium, with a capacity of 34,000, is the largest cricket ground built in the United States. It is one of the three venues in America prepared for the upcoming mega-event. On June 3, South Africa will face Sri Lanka.
