No favourites in T20 World Cup: USA coach Stuart Law claims after series win against Bangladesh

After the series win, Law claimed that the USA had come with greater intent to win than Bangladesh in Texas.

“We had more desire and passion about the game in the first two matches,” said Law after the final T20I as quoted by ICC.

Bangladesh was able to bounce back in the last match with a 10-wicket win after an inspiring bowling performance from Mustafizur Rahman as he snared his career-best T20I figures of 6/10, restricting USA to 104/9, which Bangladesh chased down without losing a wicket, with Tanzid Hasan scoring an unbeaten 58* in 42 balls.

As the series win was locked, the USA rested key players – captain Monank Patel, opener Steven Taylor, all-rounder Harmeet Singh and fast bowler Ali Khan – to put their bench to the test with the T20 World Cup fast approaching.

“We wanted it a bit more than what they did. Today it was a different story. We may have relaxed a little bit. Bangladesh played pretty well. They will take this in their stride,” said Law.

“It is great preparation. Playing games is so much better than hitting balls in the nets. Anything can happen in one-off games. That is what the World Cup is like. No one goes in as ultimate favourites.”

“We were in a privileged position today with the series in our hands. It was nice to give opportunities to other players. We wanted to make sure everyone had a game before they go into the World Cup, which will be cut-throat. Every game will be like a final. We have had two very good performances in the two wins here,” Law concluded his point.

The stand-in skipper Aaron Jones furthered Law’s point of no favourites as he asserted that the USA beating Pakistan or India would not be termed an ‘upset’.

“We are a very good team. Obviously we showed that against Bangladesh, one of the best teams in the world. I would not call it an upset if we beat Pakistan or India. I will just say that we played better cricket on the day. It is a game of cricket. The bigger teams can lose as well,” said Jones.

The co-hosts of the tournament are placed in Group A with India, Pakistan, Ireland and Canada with their first match scheduled on June 1 against Canada in Dallas to inaugurate the T20 World Cup.

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