Cricket in the United States has historically been a niche sport compared to major American favorites like football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. However, in recent years, USA Cricket has worked to grow the sport’s visibility and attract more fans. Cricket’s popularity is expanding, particularly in areas with significant South Asian, Caribbean, and British communities, where cricket already has a passionate following. The advent of professional leagues like Major League Cricket (MLC), launched in 2023, has also added momentum, aiming to bring the excitement of professional T20 cricket to American audiences and invest in youth development.
For broader American sports fans, cricket is still relatively unfamiliar, with limited representation on mainstream sports networks and fewer grassroots programs compared to traditional American sports. However, USA Cricket’s efforts, combined with growing global streaming access to major tournaments like the Indian Premier League and Cricket World Cup, are starting to change that. With the U.S. set to co-host the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, there is increasing optimism that cricket’s visibility will continue to rise, sparking greater interest and potentially establishing a more prominent fan base across the nation.
USA Cricket is working to leverage these developments to build a structured framework for cricket, including youth leagues, training programs, and more consistent access to televised games, making the sport more accessible and exciting for American audiences.
USA Cricket has set the date for its 2024 Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, December 8th, from 1:00-3:00 PM EST in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, registered USA Cricket members have two options to participate. Members are welcome to attend in person but must pre-register due to limited space. Alternatively, members can join virtually via a YouTube Live stream, with the link provided through USA Cricket’s social media and email updates.
The agenda, to be released soon, will cover a review of 2024 and outline plans for 2025 and beyond. The meeting will wrap up with a Q&A session, where members can submit questions for the Board and Staff. Given the large USA Cricket membership, questions must be submitted by December 6th and will not be addressed in real time.
USA Cricket, the official governing body for cricket in the U.S., is recognized by the International Cricket Council. Its mission includes overseeing and promoting cricket at all levels, developing the sport, and supporting U.S. athletes in both national and international competitions. The Board, led by Chairman Venu Pisike, comprises directors from across the U.S.
Earlier this year, however, USA Cricket faced serious accusations from three board members—Kuljit Singh, Arjun Gona, and Patricia Whittaker—who raised concerns about Chairman Venu Pisike’s leadership. In an email sent directly to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the directors accused Pisike and his associates of unethical practices and governance issues within USA Cricket.
These allegations come amid growing scrutiny from the ICC, which had previously warned USA Cricket of possible sanctions. The email raises multiple allegations, including the purportedly wrongful and unauthorized dismissal of CEO Dr. Noor Murad. The directors claim this decision was made without due process and created a “toxic” work environment, leading to the departure of key personnel like Julie Abbott, Jamie Lloyd, Anand Patel, and Burt Cockley.
Additionally, the directors raise concerns about USA Cricket’s governance integrity, citing electoral misconduct, disenfranchisement of voters during constitutional amendments, and the alleged manipulation of the membership management system to influence elections. These accusations reflect ongoing challenges within USA Cricket’s leadership and its relationship with the ICC
By openly addressing these matters and engaging with members, the organization can begin to rebuild trust and strengthen its foundation for the future. This meeting could mark a pivotal step toward stabilizing the administration and reinforcing its mission to foster cricket at all levels in the United States.