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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has pledged to directly fund United States national team players, ensuring their continued preparation for next year. Twenty20 World Cup,
The intervention bypasses its embattled national governing body, USA Cricket (USAC).
USAC was suspended by the ICC in September for governance failures, lack of recognition of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and actions that harmed the reputation of the sport.
Despite this, the US national teams retained their eligibility for ICC events and their preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
On Monday, the ICC reaffirmed its readiness to honor USAC’s financial obligations to contracted players and fund its performance program during the suspension.
The Council stated that “USAC’s dysfunction will not be allowed to compromise the USA’s participation and competitiveness in global events, or the ICC’s work in returning cricket to the Olympics.”
This comes after USAC previously rejected an ICC loan for salaries; The national body has filed for bankruptcy.
The US men’s team is scheduled to compete in the T20 World Cup starting in February next year.
The US has been drawn in Group A along with defending champions India, Pakistan, Namibia and the Netherlands.
A total of 20 teams will compete in the tournament, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the Super Eight stage before the semi-finals and final.
The US hosted the last edition of the T20 World Cup with the West Indies in 2024.
They gave a big shock by defeating Pakistan in the group stage and made it to the Super Eight for the first time.
However, they failed to progress further after losing to the West Indies, South Africa and England, and subsequently reached the semi-finals.