US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller got involved in a joke when a journalist asked him about the US cricket team’s surprise win over Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

During the press briefing, Miller was asked by a reporter to comment on the win of the US, an Associate team, against Pakistan, a Full Member team. The official responded in a witty manner, saying he would “get in trouble” if he spoke on matters that were outside his area of ​​expertise.

“I often get into trouble when I try to comment on things beyond my area of ​​expertise and I would say the Pakistan cricket team certainly falls into that category,” Miller said.

Miller’s reaction underlines the fact that cricket, despite its global popularity, remains relatively isolated in the US. Other sports such as football, basketball or baseball are quite popular in the country. However, with the US hosting a major cricket tournament for the first time, the ICC hopes to gain even more fans following the USA cricket team’s historic performance so far.

On 6 June, the USA cricket team stunned Pakistan with their first win at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The match went into a super over after both teams scored 159 runs.

The game had its ups and downs, and the USA prevailed over a hapless Pakistani team, which was guilty of dropped catches and misfielding at crucial junctures.

This is the first time that the USA is hosting a major ICC cricket tournament and West Indies is also co-hosting it.

India top Group A, while the USA are second with four points after two wins and a loss. The USA team will take on Ireland in their last match in Lauderhill on Friday and will be aiming to make it to the Super 8s for the first time.