Thousands of cricket enthusiasts from India and Pakistan convened in New York on Sunday to witness the T20 World Cup match between the two countries, infusing a taste of the sub-continent into the sport's less common locale. The temporary 34,000-seat Nassau County Cricket Stadium in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow on Long Island, was packed to capacity with spectators coming from various distances. The USA, in partnership with the West Indies, is co-hosting the T20 World Cup, with matches also held in Lauderhill, South Florida, and Dallas. This match is the highlight of the group stage, pitting the two adversaries against each other in a game that extends beyond cricket's boundaries. Due to political tensions and security issues, the teams seldom face off outside of major tournaments, yet the fans were in high spirits, despite the rain that postponed the start. For the Indian community in the USA, the tournament provides a unique opportunity to see their idols live instead of through online streams. Kumar Mathuria from New York expressed, 'It's in our backyard, so there is nothing like it. This is the first time we've had the chance to experience cricket, the national sport for both India and Pakistan. We are fortunate to have this incredible ground built just for this event.' He also noted the presence of many fans who had traveled from India and other overseas locations. Around the stadium, vendors sold jerseys of both teams, and Pakistan fans displayed their national flags from SUVs. Eswar Malik, a Pakistan supporter who flew in from St. Louis, likened the rivalry to that of the Yankees-Red Sox or St. Louis and Chicago, noting that Americans now grasp its significance. This is the fifth game at the venue, but by far the most prominent, filling the stadium to capacity. Long lines for security and parking confusion were evident, with secondary market tickets still available but priced over $1,500 for general admission. Inside, the 'New York' signage was the only hint of the location, with the music and pre-game buildup tailored for the fans of the two nations. The crowd erupted when former Indian great Sachin Tendulkar was introduced during pre-game interviews. Siddarth Kadavarthi, who drove ten hours from North Carolina, emphasized the importance of seeing Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, possibly in their last tournament. Mutharia, beaming, simply called it 'one of the biggest events in sports.' Cricket officials anticipate that the tournament, co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies, will boost cricket's popularity in the lucrative North American market, currently dominated by football, baseball, basketball, and ice hockey. Sunday's high-profile match ensured all eyes were on New York, as West Indies hero Chris Gayle sought autographs from players of both teams. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice noted, 'The atmosphere at an India-Pakistan game is something very, very different. When you get fans of those two countries together, it's generally a celebration.'