‘Test match’ at T20 Cricket World Cup goes smoothly; games in Nassau start Monday

There was lots of enthusiasm from cricket fans in Eisenhower Park on Saturday – some disbelief too that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is being played in Nassau County.

“This is a dream come true. I can watch cricket – World Cup in the USA, in New York… I am so excited,” said Smithtown resident Zakaria Masud.

Some Long Islanders in attendance told News 12 it was the first time they were watching cricket in person since immigrating to the United States decades ago, like Aurin Chakraborty from Port Jefferson.

“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s an out of this world feeling,” he said.

Others like Karan Nalmalhodra traveled from India to witness history.

“I’m thinking about how this will look going forward. We have seen matches in India but something to see in the U.S., a cricket stadium made in three months is unbelievable,” she said.

Saturday was a test match between India and Bangladesh for fans, players and law enforcement. Nassau police said the day ran smooth and gave them an opportunity to make necessary security changes ahead of the first official match Monday.