Babar, Kohli as big as LeBron James in terms of popularity, Plunkett

LAHORE: England World Cup champion Liam Plunkett believes cricket stars like Virat Kohli and Babar Azam can boost the sport in the United States during the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
The tournament, which begins on June 1, is co-hosted by the United States of America and the West Indies.
The tournament marks a historic moment as the first major international cricket event in the US.
Plunkett noted the high demand for tickets when he compared the popularity of cricket superstars to NBA icon LeBron James. He emphasized the global appeal of cricket and its importance, especially the India-Pakistan rivalry, which attracts more viewers than the NFL Super Bowl.
The upcoming game could showcase an intense showdown between two of the world’s best batsmen, namely India’s Kohli and Pakistan’s Azam.
“I know it’s hard to get tickets,” Plunkett told AFP in a video call from Philadelphia. “People are asking me for tickets like I’m Ticketmaster or something. I have nothing to do with it.”
“I’m sure there will be resale value. People are trying to sell it for $1,500 and people are buying tickets for it, which is crazy to think about.
“I said to someone, ‘If you had Babar Azam and Virat Kohli standing next to (NBA star) LeBron James, the queues for cricketers would be as long or not longer.’ They are so huge all over the world.
“People don’t believe it. People in America don’t realize that more people watch India vs. Pakistan than the (NFL) Super Bowl, which is crazy.”
Plunkett, who played in the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) last year, sees potential for growth in US cricket. Considering England’s recent cricketing performances, he remains optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming T20 World Cup despite the challenges.
Plunkett, who is considering his future in cricket, aims to contribute to the development of the sport in the US and is considering starting a cricket academy after retirement. He expresses satisfaction with his life in the States alongside his wife and highlights opportunities to support cricket in the community.