Jay Shah Arrives in Windhoek: Discussing 2027 Cricket World Cup

Suddenly there he was, natty in a sports jacket replete with sumptuously red pocket square. And, of course, a perfectly combed billow of jet black hair. He moved easily through crowds that parted for him, then regathered for selfies. After all, it isn't every day Jay Shah comes to places like Windhoek. The ICC president was in town to discuss Namibia's readiness for the 2027 men's World Cup, which they will host with South Africa and Zimbabwe. His presence drew the leaders of African cricket from far and wide across the length and breadth of the continent. They followed him here, they followed him there, they disappeared into a meeting room with him. They re-emerged and took photographs with him. And then, just as suddenly, he was gone. For lunch. Somewhere. It wouldn't be at one of the hospitality area's dining tables, where lamb skewers, fish and chips, beef burgers, chicken wings and lobster were on offer. On his way out he stopped for a final selfie with a couple of strategically lurking journalists, who hadn't asked for their picture to be taken with the most powerful man in cricket - and the son of the second-most powerful man in India - but were snapped anyway. Shah smiled his way graciously through that moment, as he had all the others. He gets a deluge of bad press, especially outside India, for his youth, for his lack of experience in the game, for the connections that supposedly put him in his position. It's easy to sneer and roll your eyes at him. But, on Tuesday's albeit brief and thin evidence, he seemed suited to the role. He was in his element and comfortable with his utterly foreign surroundings. Even though this is his first trip to Namibia, he looked at home. Shah arrived at the Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG), the spanking new home of cricket in this country, near the end of Japan's innings in their men's under-19 World Cup game against Australia. He remarked how the outside of the ground reminded him of Newlands, with its low but neat edifice. Once inside the VVIP hospitality area, and admiring the view of the grass banks and the hills beyond, he said he was prompted to think of Centurion. About those grass banks... The NCG currently holds 5,000. Shah wants that doubled for the World Cup. Temporary stands should do the job. Namibia want four matches in the tournament but are likely to be granted only three. Zimbabwe should be given five. That leaves 46 games for South Africa: a lopsided equation indeed. Enough with the shop talk. It was noticeable how neither the Japanese nor Australian parents watching their sons on the field were overly keen on taking a selfie with Shah, unlike almost everybody else in the hospitality area. But the family of Febin Manoj couldn't have been more thrilled to pose and beam their happiness at being captured in a moment with him. The Ireland off-spinner's parents are from Kerala, and didn't need the importance of the opportunity explained to them. Their ease might have seemed odd considering Manoj had to leave the field during Ireland's match against Sri Lanka at the NCG with what looked like a fearful injury. Fielding close to the bat on the off side, Manoj had dived to try to catch a full-blooded cut. That he managed to lay half a hand on the screaming ball before it crashed into his forehead was probably all that saved him from serious harm. Once off the park he remained at the ground - a good sign - and a dressing above his eye was the only evidence of his mishap. His family confirmed on Tuesday that he was sore but fine, hence they could enjoy their time with Shah. The boss of the world game is off to TimBila, a luxury game reserve, on Wednesday to see some of Africa's most regal animals in the flesh. "They're going to dart a lion to temporarily tranquillise it," someone who will also be there said. "It's not for him - they were going to dart it anyway for veterinary purposes."