Pakistani-born American star challenges Jai Shah’s ICC, demands higher pay: The para-national teams in the 2026 T20 World Cup played wonderful cricket. The United States, Nepal and the Netherlands nearly suffered upsets in their first games against India, England and Pakistan respectively. Italy, who made their debut on Thursday, created history by winning the opening match by 10 wickets in the big game against Nepal.

Among others, US batsman Shajan Jahangir called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide more funds to ICC-affiliated teams. The Pakistan-born batsman was speaking at the pre-match meeting ahead of Team USA’s upcoming T20 World Cup match against Netherlands in Chennai. He asked for more focus on properly “growing” the workforce.

US star Shajan Jahangir wants ICC exposed

“We lack exposure and money from the ICC. I think we have been tagged as a client nation but we are definitely a great team. As you have seen in this World Cup, all the teams that have been tagged as a client nation have put on a show and they have given all these strong teams a very tough time,” Shajan Jahangir told a press conference.

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“Nepal almost won a match against England. We almost beat India, they were 75 for 6 – Surya (Kumar Yadav) was playing the way he did again. But if we purify these moments, we will beat the best teams in the World Cup.”

He further said, “I would say we were not properly watered down. We were not properly developed. But again, all of our players were struggling. There were no financial resources, there was no infrastructure.”

“I think if the ICC paid more attention to us and all the affiliated countries, you would see more big tournaments and you would see all these teams coming and changing their tag from affiliated countries to big teams.”

US star Shayan Jahangir asks ICC to organize a bilateral series

Shajan Jahangir also requested the ICC to arrange bilateral series between associate nations and top teams in the run-up to the tournament, which is always a better opportunity for smaller nations participating in major tournaments. “Preparation is very important and has a lot to do with funding,” he said.

“We don’t have the money to host these games, there are no grounds big enough for us to play in and I think if we could get that funding from the International Cricket Federation and it’s our request, my personal request, we would look at it seriously and if you really groom us, I’m telling you, there’s a lot of talent in the Cricket Association.”

There are many cricketers who are very good – Shayan Jahangir

“There are a lot of cricketers who are very good but don’t get exposure. I think there’s a guy from Nepal who scored a nine-ball half-century (referring to Deependra Singh Airi),” said Shajan Jahangir.

He concluded: “If it was at the highest level he would be recognized around the world but he is still trying to play cricket in leagues around the world. So I think it takes exposure, funding and a little push and hopefully we can do that.”

Also read: Hardik Pandya angry with BCCI and pitch curators during T20 World Cup