Okay, strange that the Netherlands also competed in the world cup then if apparently no one knows of it there but regardless, what does it matter if it's most widely known amongst previous members of the British Empire? That's still a significant portion of the world, enough to make it the second most popular sport after football. It's nice to share a love of a sport and compete with countries that don't play football as much.

I think you've gotten confused with the common criticism of America calling their baseball tournament "the world series" when in that case literally no where but America and Japan play it seriously. That criticism doesn't apply to cricket because it's so widespread globally.

Playing against Pakistan is playing against ourselves? It's probably the most widely played sport across the world after football.