- Navalny memoirs spark mix of curiosity, indifference in Moscow
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in talks with Putin
- Ukraine peace talks, NATO invite may hinge on US elections, Zelensky says
- Leipzig players 'not yet talking' about Klopp, says Openda before Liverpool tie
- IMF predicts slightly slower global growth in 2024 and 2025
- US interest rate, election uncertainy hit stock market sentiment
- Guardiola applauds Man City mentality ahead of Sparta Prague test
- San Siro saga continues as Inter and AC Milan propose new stadium project
- French luxury brand Chanel to sponsor Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race
- Flick calm despite Barca's dire Bayern record
- Kenya court hears challenge to deputy leader's impeachment
- Women footballers call on FIFA to drop Saudi Aramco as sponsor
- Mozambican opposition leader says security forces killed his lawyer
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in meeting with Putin
- Stock markets diverge tracking US outlook
- Snyman returns for Springboks' November internationals
- Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat
- Over 250 women in talks with Harrods over Al-Fayed claims
- England pick Ahmed as third spinner for deciding Pakistan Test
- Verreynne century puts South Africa on top, Bangladesh 19-2 at tea
- Navalny's tomb 'covered with fresh flowers every day': widow
- Schauffele targets more success in Japan after major breakthroughs
- Rare Tintin albums go under the hammer in Paris
- Blinken in Israel to push for Gaza truce
- Most markets fall as traders weigh US rates outlook
- Harris and Trump push for every vote with just 14 days to go
- Hyundai Motor India shares dip on debut after record IPO
- South Africa 243-8 at lunch, lead Bangladesh by 137
- Apple CEO visits China for second time this year as sales slump
- Glasgow confirmed as host of 10-sport 2026 Commonwealth Games
- 'Serious business': influencer degree launches in Ireland
- In South Africa, water shortages are the new reality
- Frontline Ukraine cafe offers glimpse of normality as war rages
- In Mozambique, cigars 100% made in Africa
- North Korea UN representative denies Pyongyang sent troops to Russia
- Leipzig host Liverpool under Klopp's looming shadow
- Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer: US media
- King Charles caps Australia trip with 'barbie' and Opera House bash
- Tuipulotu named All Blacks captain to face Japan
- Is Musk's million-dollar US voter lottery legal?
- Britain seeking EU trade reset: minister
- Most Asian markets drop as traders weigh US rates outlook
- Wealthy Israelis offer rewards for release of Gaza hostages
- China launches live-fire exercise in Taiwan Strait
- Putin seeks to rival West with high-profile summit
- New Zealand's Williamson out of second India Test
- League convert Suaalii in Wallabies squad for Europe, Skelton returns
- Unsung heroes who saved 1,000 children from Rwanda genocide
- Rwanda orphans build hope from horror 30 years after genocide
- Brest in dreamland after perfect start to debut Champions League campaign
RBGPF | 3.66% | 61.75 | $ | |
GSK | -0.66% | 37.911 | $ | |
AZN | -0.65% | 76.94 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.08% | 24.63 | $ | |
BP | 0.47% | 31.62 | $ | |
NGG | -1.56% | 66 | $ | |
RIO | 0.49% | 65.27 | $ | |
BTI | 1.3% | 34.7 | $ | |
RELX | -1.33% | 47.005 | $ | |
SCS | -0.16% | 12.87 | $ | |
RYCEF | -1.23% | 7.31 | $ | |
VOD | -0.68% | 9.565 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.16% | 24.83 | $ | |
BCC | -1.37% | 136.035 | $ | |
JRI | -0.19% | 13.125 | $ | |
BCE | -0.41% | 33.255 | $ |
New York prepares for 'high-voltage' India-Pakistan cricket match
At the cultural crossroads of the world, New Yorkers will experience a thrilling first on Sunday -- a World Cup cricket match hosted in a US city between Asian powerhouses: rivals India and Pakistan.
"India-Pakistan is the game everyone would like to watch, and... it's happening in our backyard," said Ajith Shetty, president of two local cricket leagues.
"I'm very, very thrilled," the Indian native told AFP on Friday.
However, roughly 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the pop-up stadium at Eisenhower Park on Long Island, fans interviewed in the bustling Little India neighborhood of Queens said they won't be able to attend the game in person.
"I asked about it, but it's so expensive. I'll watch it on my mobile," 31-year-old Rajeet Krishna said.
"Pakistan against India is special... there's a long history there," he said, with the 34,000 seats in the stadium sold out for months.
- 'Lion and tiger' -
This first Cricket World Cup hosted in the United States is in the T20 format, with games that last around three hours, as opposed to the five-day contests in the traditional test match format.
Tickets on the resale market are going for at least $800, with Indian Premier League (IPL) founder and former president Lalit Modi slamming the inflated prices.
The tournament "in the US is for game expansion & fan engagement, not a means to make profits on gate collections," he said on X.
Beyond the Indian and Pakistani communities, the face-off is eagerly anticipated by immigrants from other South Asian countries where cricket is popular.
"Like lion and tiger" is how Faros Ahmed, a 58-year-old of Bangladeshi origin, described the rivalry.
"Even if I am not Indian, not Pakistani, I am going to watch it because this is a high-voltage match," said the restaurant manager, who supports Pakistan and will broadcast the game for his customers.
- 'Like to see India lose' -
Although both countries are cricket powerhouses, head-to-head matches are rare between the nations.
The two sides do not meet outside of official competitions of the ICC, the international cricket federation, and the last test match between them was in 2007.
"We are going to take revenge, we are going to beat them," said Roop Sajnani, an Indian native who manages a sari store.
The 85-year-old recalled how his Hindu family was forced to move from what is today Pakistan into India, in the exodus that preceded partition in 1947.
Many of the businesses and restaurants in Little India are run by Bangladeshis, many of whom lined up behind Pakistan, from which Bangladesh gained its independence in 1971.
"Let's say we just like to see India lose against all the teams," said Mostakim Shahed, a 20-year-old student from Bangladesh, with a smile.
"If you look at Asia, yes, India is the best team," he said. "They are the richest cricket team... they already have support. Whereas Pakistan, they don't have really support."
- 'Bloodbath' -
Sunday's meeting is crucial for Pakistan, which risks elimination in the first round after a surprising loss on Thursday to the United States, ranked 18th in the world.
New York-based Pakistani journalist Wajahat S. Khan said he had "never been more excited or terrified about a cricket match at the same time."
"The data doesn't lie. Pakistan is likely to lose. It's likely to be a bloodbath. But you can never write off Pakistan's cricket team. Never."
The US win over sixth-ranked Pakistan has boosted interest in cricket in the country, where the sport remains well outside the mainstream.
"All the news channels are talking about it, people are explaining, what is cricket. People are understanding, what is cricket," Shetty said.
Beyond the tournament, which concludes at the end of June, the local cricket organizer hopes it brings "better infrastructure" for players in the New York area.
They will not, however, benefit from the Long Island stadium, which will be dismantled in July, leaving local leagues to continue their quest for a dedicated arena.
X.Karnes--AMWN