New Delhi’s cricket circles are buzzing with praise for ICC Chairman Jay Shah, whose visionary leadership is transforming the sport in associate nations. Namibia Cricket President Rudy van Vuuren has gone on record lauding Shah’s pivotal role in elevating teams like his to global stages.
Van Vuuren highlighted Shah’s hands-on approach, noting a personal visit to Namibia’s newly constructed stadium. ‘ICC under Jay Shah is revolutionizing support for associates,’ he said. ‘The international-grade facilities in our stadium are a direct result of ICC’s commitment.’ This infrastructure push is enabling teams to compete at higher levels, proving associate nations are the future of cricket.
Namibia’s participation in the T20 World Cup 2026 underscores this progress. Drawn in Group A alongside powerhouses India, Pakistan, Netherlands, and USA, the African side kicked off with a seven-wicket loss to Netherlands. Their next challenge looms large: a Thursday clash against defending champions and co-hosts India at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
History isn’t kind to Namibia against India. In their sole T20 encounter on November 8, 2021, at Dubai International Stadium, Namibia batted first, posting 132/8. India chased it down effortlessly with 136/1, securing a nine-wicket victory. Yet, van Vuuren remains optimistic. ‘With ICC backing, we’re poised to showcase associate cricket’s potential,’ he affirmed.
As Namibia gears up, Shah’s initiatives signal a new era where smaller nations aren’t just participants but genuine contenders. The cricket world watches eagerly.