Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As the United States co-hosts and reaches the Super 8 of the ICC T20 World Cup tournament, Western New York is seeing an increase in interest in the sport.
About a decade ago, University at Buffalo graduate students began playing cricket here, says Furqan Hassan of the Buffalo Niagara Cricket Club.
"There were a few folks who were working, who basically finished their finance and other degrees and they were working in your local businesses, and so it was three teams," Hassan recalled with WBEN.
Now there are about 20 teams in two different leagues in Buffalo, plus teams nearby in Rochester and Syracuse. He says a growing student population, plus an influx of Bengalis during the pandemic have helped expand cricket here.
Kanwalnain Hans of the WNY Cricket League says cricket grounds are at in Ellicott Creek Park, Maple West School, and Reservoir State Park.
"All the immigrants from there have the passion to play cricket. It is very special when you have the US Co-hosting the T20 Cricket World Cup," Hans said in an interview with WBEN.
Hans says cricket is a team game that tests both mental and physical agility.
"It plays on the team spirit," he said. "Players work together to achieve a common goal which builds lasting friendship and a sense of belonging. Players enjoy the intellectual challenges of outwitting an opposite action and make tactical decisions on the grounds determining the strategy you're going to follow during the game while in the field."
Hassan says cricket is played similar to baseball, but there are similarities to golf as well.
"This is a weekend you get to spend outdoors, for you only play 20 innings. So once you're batting, this is time for you to sit down with people that you haven't seen for a whole week. You're hanging out with 11 of your friends, most of the team chats, it's like a little picnic," Hassan noted.
He adds once you're on the field, it is has so many different variables, you can bounce the ball and that has many dimensions to it. He also says Western New York has lush greens not available in South Asian nations.
Hassan believes the game will expand here. He notes a group of financial advisers are asking him about the sport, and believes going to schools will help.
"I think it has a chance to grow if we focus on a school level where we can help coach local school teams," Hassan said.
The U.S. plays West Indies on Friday.