USA v Afghanistan

[malaise]

Most of the US players have Caribbean or Asian connections

http://www.cricinfo.com/2010iccwt20/content/current/story/447805.html
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Steve Massiah with the ICC Americas Division 1 trophy, Canada v USA, ICC Americas Division 2, Florida, November 29, 2008
Steve Massiah: 'I think it's a good opportunity for us to show that through sports you can achieve unity and you can bring people together' © International Cricket Council
Related Links
Players/Officials: Hamid Hassan | Steve Massiah
Matches: Afghanistan v United States of America at Dubai
Series/Tournaments: ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier
Teams: Afghanistan | United States of America

As a sporting nation, the USA sets itself apart from the rest of the world with its insular focus on homegrown pursuits such as baseball and American football. When it does venture outside its own sporting bubble, America often finds itself caught up in politically charged events. From the so-called 'Miracle on ice' ice-hockey game between the US and the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics, to the defiantly good-natured meeting between the American and Iranian football teams at the 1998 football World Cup, and the continued baseball rivalry with Cuba, American political relations have coloured those on the sports field.

Afghanistan's game against USA at the World Twenty20 Qualifiers on February 11 has taken on a similarly political complexion against the backdrop of America's military engagements in that country. The match was also made all the more intriguing after Afghanistan won both of their opening games at the tournament to clear a path to the Super Fours. USA shocked Scotland, running to an unexpected six-wicket victory, in their first match but crashed to a 78-run defeat at the hands of Ireland in their second, and so, in an interesting twist, Afghanistan are now well placed to knock USA out of contention in the tournament.
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Live coverage here
http://www.cricinfo.com/2010iccwt20/engine/current/match/439503.html
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They're all trying to qualify for the Twenty/20 World Cup in the Caribbean in a few months.

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