We're gonna try to eat whoever comes in our way: Ali Khan

Ali Khan leaked 49 runs in four overs in the first T20I against Bangladesh but made a stunning comeback in the second encounter to help the USA register their maiden series win over a full-member team. The right-arm paceman took 3/25 and was named player of the match.

Chasing a target of 145, Bangladesh needed only 21 runs off 18 deliveries, with Shakib Al Hasan still out in the middle. That’s when Ali Khan knocked him over in the 18th over and also got the wicket of Tanzim Hasan to bring the USA back into the game. The paceman then dismissed Rishad Hossain in the last over to seal the game for his team. 

"I like my role wherever I go and play, which is to bowl at the death. There's always pressure when you bowl in the powerplay and death. And I think this is my strength and I like to take that challenge. And I like to take the responsibility. In these situations, I would go to the captain and ask for the ball because I know, and I believe in myself, in my ability and on my day I can definitely back myself and try to get the win,” Cricbuzz quoted Ali Khan as saying.

The USA will commence their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign against Canada in Dallas on June 1. Apart from them, India, Pakistan and Ireland are also part of Group A. "This shows the world what we can do if we are given the opportunities,” said Ali Khan. 

“If you just keep playing at this associate level or lower levels, you're gonna stay there. But if you have more opportunities to play against bigger sides, the top 10 teams, there's definitely ways of doing an upset. And this is a clear picture of that. And I think, definitely associate cricket should be given more opportunities against the full members that will help us showcase our talent and what we have to show the world.

"We are hungry, we're just hungry. And we're gonna try to eat whoever comes in our way. Especially, this is the time where we can make some changes and try to adjust what we can small little things. But I think the team looks really balanced. All the guys are hungry, as I said, and we are really looking forward to the World Cup, and I'm sure USA will be there to do an upset.”

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