In a heartfelt endorsement, Namibia Cricket President Rudy van Vuuren credits ICC Chairman Jay Shah for breathing new life into associate cricket. Speaking from New Delhi, van Vuuren detailed how Shah’s policies are bridging the gap between full members and associates.
‘Jay Shah has ushered in transformative changes,’ van Vuuren declared. He recounted Shah’s inspection of Namibia’s state-of-the-art stadium, built with ICC assistance to meet international standards. This support has been crucial for teams striving for World Cup glory.
Namibia’s journey in T20 World Cup 2026 has been a mix of grit and setbacks. Placed in a formidable Group A with India, Pakistan, Netherlands, and USA, they suffered a seven-wicket defeat in their opener against Netherlands. Thursday brings a daunting matchup against India, the tournament’s co-hosts and title holders, at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Recalling their lone prior T20I against India in Dubai on November 8, 2021, Namibia scored 132/8 but crumbled as India won by nine wickets chasing 136/1. Despite the odds, van Vuuren urges his team to leverage ICC-enabled facilities and demonstrate associate nations’ prowess.
Shah’s focus on development is reshaping global cricket. Associate teams now have the tools to dream big, potentially altering the sport’s competitive landscape for years to come.