T20 World Cup 2026 – USA’s Shayan Jahangir urges ICC for better funding and more exposure for associated teams

“See, especially going into this tournament, all big teams have played big T20 series,” Jahangir said at the press conference. “Pakistan played Australia, New Zealand played India, and we played Sri Lanka A.

“It also has a lot to do with the funding. We don’t have the money to have those competitions (competitions), don’t have those big grounds that we can play on, and I think if we have that funding from the ICC… It’s a request from us, personally from me, to really look at it, and if you really nurture us, I tell you, so much talent in Associate.

“There are so many cricketers who are so good but not given the exposure,” said Jahangir. “I think there’s this guy (Dipendra Singh Airee) from Nepal, he scored a nine-ball half-century. And if it was at the highest level, he’d get recognition all over the world, but he’s still struggling to play league cricket all over the world. So I think exposure, funding and also a bit of pressure is needed and hopefully we’ll get that.”

USA fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk is currently the highest wicket-taker in the competition, with eight strikes in two games at an average of 6.25 and an identical economy rate of 6.25. Jahangir wants the ICC to nurture more such talents and teams from associated teams.

“As you have seen in this World Cup, all teams tagged as associate nations have put in a performance, and they have given a very tough time to all these big teams,” Jahangir said. “Nepal almost won a game against England. We almost beat India, with them 75 (77) for 6 – again Surya playing the way he played. But if we had sealed those moments, we would have beaten the powerhouse of a World Cup team.

“I would say we are not properly watered. We are not properly nurtured. But again, it is all our players who put in the hard yards without the financial resources and without the infrastructure. I think if the ICC pays more attention to us and all the associated nations, you will see more big games and you will see all these teams from big nations and change as their big team.”

Although the USA no longer plays big teams like India or Pakistan, rubbing shoulders with top T20 players in Major League Cricket has contributed to the growth of their players and overall growth of the game in the country, according to Jahangir.

“Since the inception of Major League Cricket, cricket has flourished in the country,” he said. “There are a lot of youngsters picking up a cricket ball and a cricket bat. I think these are the kids who are going to take cricket forward in the country, and a lot of people are interested. Even the native Americans who were born and raised in the country also have an awareness that America has a cricket team.”

“If the ICC pays more attention to us and all the associated nations, you will see more big matches and you will see all these teams come and change their label from associate nations to big teams as well.”

“Looking back, I mean everything happened for a reason,” Jahangir said. “It was another full circle moment for me. I never thought of playing against Pakistan in a World Cup. I always wanted to play for the country where I was born. But God has plans for everyone. I think whatever happened, whatever decisions I made in the last ten years worked out for me. I’m just grateful to play for the USA cricket team and look forward to more opportunities.”

“To be thrown against the big boys in the jungle and come out strong gives you a huge sense of belief,” he said. “Again, these moments, if we keep grabbing them … if most of the players get those moments as well and they grab them, they’ll elevate their game and hopefully in the next couple of years as well, you’ll see more guys (from the U.S.) step up and more guys representing franchises and league cricket around the world and everyone will be happy to see the talent that we have.”