The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier match that unfolded on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at St Albans Club, Corimayo, showcased a riveting clash between the United States Women and Argentina Women. Tension hung in the air as the USA won the toss and chose to field first, a strategic decision aimed at putting early pressure on Argentina’s batting lineup, hoping to chase down whatever modest total they set.
From the moment Argentina Women stepped onto the pitch, they encountered a well-disciplined bowling attack from the USA. Right from the get-go, their challenges became evident as Albertina Galan, the first batter to face what turned out to be an unrelenting spell of bowling, scored just a single run before she fell victim to a catch behind, thanks to the sharp bowling of Aditiba Chudasama. It wasn’t long before the situation worsened for Argentina, with Malena Lollo falling victim to a slick run-out and Maria Castiñeiras departing without troubling the scores at all.
In what felt like a Herculean effort against the tide, Argentina’s captain, Alison Stocks, tried her best to hold the innings together. Managing a patient but frustratingly slow 16 runs off 46 balls, she found herself isolated as wickets continued to tumble around her. It can be disheartening for a captain to find their personal efforts unbacked by the rest of the team, and Stocks was no exception.
Support from the middle order was minimal; Lucia Taylor added a quick 14 runs off 18 balls, while Tamara Basile put some fire into the bottom order with a 13-run knock off 13 balls. However, it was three heartbreaking run-outs that ultimately undercut any chance Argentina had of rallying back to a respectable total. By the end of their 20 overs, they had limped to a mere 63 runs for 9 wickets.
Aditiba Chudasama emerged as the standout performer, offering a masterclass in bowling. Her impressive figures of 4 wickets for just 11 runs in 4 overs not only sealed Argentina’s fate but also showcased her potential on a bigger stage. This was a collective effort as well—Ritu Singh’s figures of 1 for 3 and Chetnaa Prasad’s 1 for 7 added to the mounting pressure on Argentina, while Tara Norris and Saanvi Immadi kept things tight with economical spells. The US team’s sharp fielding—evidenced by three remarkable run-outs—restricted Argentina’s scoring and showcased their discipline.
The challenge for the USA Women’s team was set: chase a modest total of 64 runs. They began their innings with optimism and intent. Disha Dhingra opened with energy, scoring 9 runs off 13 balls but was soon run out after a fine piece of fielding by Galan and Lollo. Despite the earlier hiccup, Chetna Pagydyala anchored the innings, exhibiting calm and control with her steady knock of 22 runs off 26 balls.
The batting unit saw flash moments of aggression as Ella Claridge entered the scene with a quick-fire 5 runs off just 3 balls before also being dismissed, leaving captain Anika Kolan to guide her team home. Kolan’s confident knock of 19 runs off 14 balls—complete with boundary that had the crowd on their feet—crowned a chase that ended in just 9 overs. It was a team effort, complemented by 9 extra runs that certainly made things easier.
Argentina’s bowling attack struggled to make an imprint, with Galan securing the lone wicket of the match, yielding 22 runs over her 4 overs, underscoring the challenge of defending such a low total. Other bowlers like Constanza Sosa, Lucia Taylor, Alison Stocks, and Mariana Martinez faced difficulties in applying sufficient pressure, leading to a disappointing outing.
With an emphatic 8-wicket victory, the USA Women demonstrated their strength and showcased their potential in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier. Aditiba Chudasama’s exceptional performance secured her the Player of the Match accolade, taking her team’s confidence to new heights as they look ahead to the next stages with the dream of qualifying for the prestigious ICC Women’s T20 World Cup firmly in sight. They know they have what it takes to shine, and the camaraderie on the field reflects the unified hope for future victories.
Image Source: Fancode @ YouTube
