USA batsman Shayan Jahangir has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide more funding and exposure to associate nations ahead of USA’s must-win T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Chennai. Jahangir said lack of resources still hampers emerging teams even as they shine on the world stage.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the crucial Group A match in Chennai, Jahangir stressed that the affiliates have proved they belong at this level but are still not adequately supported.
“The exposure and the kind of funding we get from the ICC is missing…I think we got the Associate National tag but we are nothing less than a great team. As you saw in this World Cup, all the teams that are tagged as Associate Nations put on a show and gave all these big teams a very tough time,” Jahangir said.
How the Associated Nations grabbed the T20 WC headlines
The T20 World Cup 2026 has been defined by fearless performances by teams outside the traditional powerhouses. Nepal, Netherlands, USA and debutant Italy produced headline moments.
Nepal came close to a famous victory against England, backed by massive crowd support at the Wankhede. The Netherlands narrowly miss out on an early game against Pakistan, while Italy play in their first ever FIFA World Cup, stunned Nepal to claim their first T20 World Cup victory.
Former players have also expressed their support for these rising nations. Aakash Chopra called for more focus on teams like Nepalwhile Yuvraj Singh praised Italy after their historic win.
Jahangir believes these performances show that the affiliates are already pushing their best, but only because the players have put in their best effort with very little financial support from the ICC.
“I would say we weren’t wired properly. We weren’t nurtured properly. But again, it’s all our players putting in the hard yard. Without the financial resources, without the infrastructure, I think if the ICC pays more attention to us and all the Associate nations, you’ll see more big games and you’ll see all these teams come and change their tags from the big nations from the Associate.”
How the US gave India a scare in the T20 World Cup
The USA entered the tournament after a chaotic build-up, with their governing cricket committee facing a suspension from the ICC that disrupted their preparation. They have not played a T20I since April 2025 before coming to the World Cup. Despite the fact that USA gave defending champions India a scare in Mumbaihe reduced them to 75 for 6 before Suryakumar Yadav turned the match around with an innings.
“We almost beat India when we had them 75 for 6 – again Surya (Kumar Yadav) played the way he played. But if we cleaned up those moments, we would have beaten the strength of the World Cup team,” he added.
How big is the difference between affiliates and heavyweights?
The 31-year-old also pointed out how Full Member teams benefit from bilateral series and quality preparation in the build-up to tournaments.
India hosted New Zealand last month, while Australia had a short tour of Pakistan before arriving in Sri Lanka, opportunities that the associated sides have not been given by the governing bodies, or something they simply cannot afford.
“Preparation is very important and it has a lot to do with funding. We don’t have the money to have those computers, to have those big grounds to play on, and I think if we have that funding from the ICC, and it’s a request from us, from me personally, to really look at it, and if you really bring us up, I’m telling you so much heterick. Asso talent.”
Jahangir also cited Nepali all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, who holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty, as an example of how Associate talent often goes unnoticed.
“There are so many cricketers who are so good but you don’t see it. I think there’s one guy from Nepal who scored a nine-ball half-century (referring to Dipendra Singh Airee). And if it was at the top level, he’d get recognition all over the world and he’s still trying to play league cricket around the world, get into cricket, little funding, and I also think we need that.”
The USA will now move back into the field in search of their first win of the tournament. After pushing India close and showing glimpses of their potential, Jahangir and his team will be hoping to translate that promise into points when they face the Netherlands on February 13 with their World Cup campaign hanging in the balance.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
February 13, 2026