Dubai: With just 36 days left until the commencement of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled Indian cricketing legend Yuvraj Singh as its ambassador for the prestigious tournament. The announcement comes as anticipation builds for the pinnacle global event for T20 cricket, set to captivate audiences worldwide.
Yuvraj Singh, renowned for his extraordinary contributions to the sport, particularly in the T20 format, will play a pivotal role in promoting the T20 World Cup across various engagements in the United States. The former Indian cricketer, whose remarkable feat of smashing 36 runs in an over remains etched in cricketing folklore from the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, expressed his excitement about the forthcoming tournament.
“Some of my fondest cricketing memories have come from playing at the T20 World Cup, including hitting six sixes in an over, so it’s very exciting to be part of this edition, which is set to be the biggest one yet,” remarked Yuvraj Singh, reflecting on his illustrious career and the significance of the upcoming event.
As an ambassador, Yuvraj Singh will grace a multitude of promotional events leading up to and during the T20 extravaganza, including the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan scheduled for 9 June in New York. Emphasizing the magnitude of this encounter, Yuvraj expressed his privilege in witnessing the best players in the world competing in a new stadium, underscoring the match’s status as one of the premier sporting fixtures of the year.
Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager – Marketing & Communications, lauded Yuvraj Singh’s appointment, recognizing his indelible mark on the T20 World Cup. “His name is synonymous with the T20 World Cup, owning one of the event’s most iconic moments when he became the first player to hit six sixes in a T20 International,” Furlong remarked, highlighting Yuvraj’s significant contribution to the tournament’s legacy.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from 1-29 June, promises to be a spectacle of cricketing excellence, with co-hosts USA kicking off the tournament against Canada at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. With a total of 55 matches set to be played by 20 teams across 9 venues, including the historic Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, where the inaugural fixture between Sri Lanka and South Africa will take place on 3 June, cricket enthusiasts can anticipate a riveting display of talent and sportsmanship.
Yuvraj Singh’s appointment as an ambassador alongside luminaries such as Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt further amplifies the excitement surrounding what is poised to be the biggest T20 World Cup ever, capturing the essence of cricket’s global appeal and fostering its growth on an international scale.