Jay Shah Applauds Associate Nations for Their Performance in the 2026 World Cup

Jay Shah Commends Associate Nations' Contributions

Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressed his admiration for the performances of associate nations during the 2026 World Cup. He highlighted thrilling matches, including the USA's competitive game against India, the Netherlands' near victory over Pakistan, Nepal's challenging match against England, and Zimbabwe's surprising win against Australia in New Delhi. Shah congratulated all associate teams, emphasizing that their contributions have significantly enhanced the tournament's prestige. He stated, "This World Cup was crucial for associate nations. While India claimed the championship, the USA's strong performance against India was noteworthy. The Netherlands almost triumphed over Pakistan, Nepal put up a tough fight against England, and Zimbabwe's victory over Australia was remarkable. I extend my congratulations to the entire associate cricket community for elevating the stature of this World Cup."

Unprecedented Viewership Records

"This World Cup has shattered all previous viewership records. Although I cannot disclose the exact figures at this moment, I assure you that they have surpassed all past benchmarks," Shah added.

India's Historic Third Title Achievement

India triumphed in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs to defend their title successfully. This victory marks India's historic achievement as the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home ground, the first to secure consecutive titles following their 2024 win, and the first to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024, and 2026).

Sanju Samson's impressive 89 runs off 46 balls at the top of the order, along with significant contributions from Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Shivam Dube, enabled India to set a formidable target of 254 runs in the first innings.