Windhoek, Namibia – In a glowing endorsement, Cricket Namibia President Rudy van Vuuren has hailed ICC Chairman Jay Shah for his transformative efforts in bolstering associate nations and elevating cricket infrastructure worldwide. This praise comes amid Shah’s recent visit to Namibia’s new stadium in Windhoek, spotlighting the ICC’s hands-on support for emerging cricket powerhouses.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature eight associate teams – Italy, Canada, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland, UAE, and USA – underscoring the ICC’s commitment to global inclusivity. Van Vuuren emphasized, ‘The ICC has adopted a policy to strengthen associate members, and Jay Shah has brought massive change. During his visit to our new stadium, he saw firsthand how the ICC has helped develop these high-performance facilities.’
Namibia’s rise is a testament to this support. Qualifying for their first T20 World Cup in 2021 after a strong fourth-place finish in the 2019 qualifiers, they have now secured spots in four consecutive editions. ‘With ICC backing, countries like Namibia in Africa are closing the gap. We must seize these opportunities to showcase our talent and prove that associates are cricket’s future,’ van Vuuren added.
Last month, Shah met with Africa Cricket Association leaders in Windhoek, reaffirming the ICC’s pledge to expand the sport across the continent. Namibia has etched its name in history by hosting the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and is set to co-host the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Zimbabwe. Last year, they successfully hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, where eight nations vied for two global qualifier spots.
Van Vuuren’s words highlight a new era for associate cricket, driven by visionary leadership at the ICC. As infrastructure improves and opportunities multiply, nations like Namibia are poised to redefine the global game.