USA batter Shayan Jahangir is calling for more funding and visibility for Associate nations before their crucial match against the Netherlands at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Jahangir noted that while major teams are preparing for the T20 World Cup by playing top International sides, the USA had to train against Sri Lanka A. He believes that more investment in Associate Cricket is essential since these teams feature talented players who deserve better chances.
Jahangir stated: “Leading up to this tournament, all major teams have played significant T20 series. Pakistan faced Australia, New Zealand played against India, and we were up against Sri Lanka A. Funding plays a huge role in this. We’re lacking the financial resources for those competitions and don’t have big venues to play on. I urge the ICC to consider this. If we get the support, I promise there is a lot of talent in Associate cricket.”
He highlighted Nepal all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee, who holds the record for the fastest T20I half-century despite having played only ten T20I matches against Full Member countries. Airee scored 50 runs off just nine balls against Mongolia at the 2023 Asian Games, breaking Yuvraj Singh’s 16-year-old record. He also made headlines for hitting six consecutive sixes in a T20I against Qatar in April 2024.
Jahangir added: “There are many talented cricketers who aren’t getting enough exposure. For example, Dipendra Singh Airee from Nepal scored a nine-ball half-century. If he displayed that talent at higher levels, he would receive global recognition, but he is still struggling to participate in league cricket worldwide. We need more exposure, funding, and a bit of encouragement, and I hope we’ll receive it.”
The USA began their T20 World Cup campaign with two consecutive losses to India and Pakistan in Group A. Their upcoming goal is to secure their first win, which is crucial for keeping their playoff hopes alive against the Netherlands on Friday.
