'We’ve shown we could beat some full member nations': USA vice-captain after qualifying for Super 8

USA vice-captain Aaron Jones expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete against any ICC full member side after they qualified for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. Jones said that the USA could beat some full member nations provided they play 'proper cricket' and reach their full potential.

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Aaron Jones after USA qualifies for Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2024

The tournament co-hosts USA continued their dream run at the T20 World Cup 2024 on Friday when their Super 8 qualification was confirmed after their Group A game against Ireland was washed out, resulting in both teams sharing a point each. USA along with India have qualified for the Super 8 stage from group A of the tournament. 

USA made their debut appearance in the tournament memorable by defeating neighbor Canada by seven wickets and then edging out former champion Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over finish.

“Definitely looking forward to the challenge (of Super Eight) for sure. Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve shown that obviously we could definitely compete and beat some of the full member nations,” Aaron Jones said at the post-match press conference.

In the Super Eight, USA will face South Africa, West Indies and possibly England, and Jones is confident that his side can challenge the best in the world. The Super Eight appearance has ensured USA’s automatic qualification for the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup as well.

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“To be honest with you, a lot of people don’t really pay much attention to US cricket. Probably the whole world don’t already know how much talent we have here and how good the players that we have here are. That could be a little advantage to us, but definitely on any given day, once we play proper cricket, we believe that we can beat any team in the world for sure,” he added.

“It’s a big thing for us, to be honest. Over the last couple of years, we’ve been speaking about playing in the World Cup, playing more games against the full member nations and stuff like that. Here we are doing it right now and obviously qualifying for the Super Eights is really good,” Jones said.

“Not only for us right now in the moment, but I think we’ll qualify for the 2026 World Cup as well, it’s a big thing for us. It is really good for us, and not only for us, but the fans around America as well. We really appreciate them for sure and not only for the fans but for the younger generation in America as well is really good,” the batter added.

Last month, Bangladesh had toured USA to play a three-match T20 series which the host had won 3-0 and with its good run at the T20 World Cup persisting, Jones hopes more full member teams will play bilateral series with his team.

With PTI inputs)