When the USA team began the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a seven-wicket victory over Canada on June 1, it was met with warm approval.

Five days later, their remarkable super-over win against Pakistan captured the attention of cricket followers and experts. This game-changing moment turned Group A on its head and reshaped the competition.

Despite losing narrowly to the cricket giant India in New York a week later, the USA still had a shot at advancing to the Super Eights—a goal they indeed reached, thanks to a rain-affected draw with Ireland.

USA’s journey was embraced with enthusiastic support worldwide, embodying the multicultural narratives of a nation built by immigrants chasing the American dream.

While some team members are American-born, others who initially made their mark overseas moved to the USA after setbacks in their cricket careers.

This eclectic team has drawn expertise from cricket in India, Pakistan, the Caribbean, South Africa, and New Zealand.

The squad, guided by an Australian coach who joined them just two weeks before the tournament, has defied all odds to make an impressive debut in their first significant international event.

Their journey began with a mix of good timing, fortune, and strategic planning.

The motley crew that became world beaters

After USA Cricket (USAC) gained one-day international (ODI) status from the ICC in 2019, the eligibility period for players to qualify for associate countries was shortened from five to three years.

USAC capitalized on this by launching a global talent search, recruiting both international players and domestic talent within the USA.

Former New Zealand player Corey Anderson, renowned for his T20 league experience, became eligible to play for the USA in 2023.

The same year, Harmeet Singh, who previously thrived at two ICC Under-19 World Cups for India before facing and being cleared in a fixing scandal, joined the team during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shayan Jahangir, once a rising star in Karachi who played for Pakistan under-19s, settled in Houston in 2018 after initially participating in US domestic cricket off-season.

South Africa's domestic cricket standout Shadley van Schalkwyk also migrated to the USA, unable to break into the national team despite significant domestic success.

USA batting hero Aaron Jones, born in Queens to Bajan parents, once represented Barbados.

Steven Taylor from Florida, a crucial team member since 2019, initially played for Jamaica.

Despite varied backgrounds, head coach Stuart Law, appointed in April and fully assuming duties in May, stresses the team’s unity and their embodiment of the American spirit.

"These players migrated for better opportunities, often linked to education, not solely for cricket," Law mentioned to Al Jazeera post-USA’s qualification for the Caribbean stages of the tournament.

How to ‘Americanfy’ cricket

Law emphasizes the shared cause of playing as Team USA, irrespective of diverse origins, and highlights the need to make cricket appealing to the American audience.

"We aim to 'Americanfy' the game by playing a dynamic and aggressive style of cricket," he adds.

He acknowledges that the team's motto of “fearless but intelligent cricket” fits well with most players, who strive for excellence, aiming to shine a spotlight on the sport.

This experienced squad, with no awe of the competition, showcased their mettle by securing a thrilling victory over past champions Pakistan.

As per Law, the team's ability to stay composed under pressure has been notable, often outperforming against heavily favored teams.

Corey Anderson’s role in maintaining on-field composure and captains Monank Patel and Aaron Jones’ competitive spirit have been key to their success.

Saurabh Netravalkar: From ‘rocket scientist’ to cult hero

Saurabh Netravalkar emerged as a cult hero by defending 18 runs in the super over against Pakistan. His day job as a principal engineer at Oracle added to his newfound fame.

Despite leading India’s bowling at the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2010, Netravalkar shifted to the USA in 2015 to pursue computer science, giving up his cricketing aspirations.

Law praises Netravalkar’s disciplined approach and skill set, calling his super-over execution against Pakistan outstanding.

With the majority of the squad aged between 29 and 36, many having received a second chance at cricket, Law anticipates more USA cult heroes emerging in the Super Eight stage.

The coach underscores the team’s resolve to fight hard in the tournament, aspiring for more underdog success stories.