The United States Women’s cricket team has made a remarkable mark at the regional qualifier event in Argentina, securing a coveted spot in the global qualifier for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and unyielding spirit in a competitive landscape where every match counts.
During the thrilling Match 12 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier held at the historic St Albans Club in Corimayo, the USA team faced off against their northern neighbors, Canada. Winning the toss, the USA opted to take to the crease first, setting a competitive tone right from the start. The squad’s performance was a masterclass in both batting and bowling, culminating in an impressive victory margin of 78 runs—an achievement that set the stage for their future endeavors on the world stage.
In the batting department, the USA began steadily, but it was opener Disha Dhingra who laid the foundation with her cautious innings, scoring 16 runs off 23 balls before being dismissed by Terisha Lavia. The ever-reliable Chetna Pagydyala anchored the innings with a solid contribution of 35 runs off 33 balls, a critical performance that showcased her ability to hold the innings together under pressure. Ella Claridge also stepped up with a vital innings of 20 runs from 20 balls, while captain Anika Kolan, prior to her injury, showed brilliance with a brisk 34 off 26 balls, maintaining a commendable strike rate of 130.76.
Despite a few hiccups in the middle order—where Tara Norris fell for a duck and Ritu Singh managed just 2 runs—Isani Vaghela’s quickfire 17 off 12 balls helped propel the total to a respectable 131 for 6 in their allotted overs. Extras contributed a modest 6 runs, but the underlying strength of the innings lay in the teamwork and collaborative spirit evident in their batting approach. Canada’s bowling attack, superbly led by Terisha Lavia (2/19) and bolstered by Mannat Hundal (1/24), showed promise but ultimately fell short in breaking through the solid batting display of the USA.
As Canada geared up to chase a target of 132, it quickly became apparent that they would face stiff resistance from the disciplined USA bowling lineup. Although Achini Perera attempted to anchor the innings with a 19-run contribution off 28 balls, out of the gates, Canada’s batting struggled to settle down. USA’s bowling attack proved relentless. Regular strikes prevented any significant partnerships, with captain Amarpal Kaur falling for a first-ball duck, and wicketkeeper Habeeba Bader managing a mere 5 runs before falling to Ritu Singh’s deft bowling.
The troubling middle order for Canada offered little in the way of resilience, with Kainat Qazi and Vandana Mahajan failing to break the shackles of USA’s effective bowling. The picture grew bleaker as the lower order crumbled under pressure, with the last five wickets tumbling for just 7 runs, leaving Canada all out for a meager 53 runs in just 16 overs.
Highlighting the match with her phenomenal bowling performance, Chetnaa Prasad earned the title of Player of the Match with staggering figures of 4 wickets for only 5 runs in a mere two overs. Ritu Singh, who showcased her consistent talent throughout the tournament and was named Player of the Series, contributed with 2 wickets for just 12 runs in her 4-over spell. Geetika Kodali, with her economical bowling, allowed only 1 run in two overs while claiming a crucial wicket, demonstrating the depth of talent within the USA squad. Saanvi Immadi, Tara Norris, and Aditiba Chudasama each added to the dismantling of the Canadian batting order by contributing critical wickets, ensuring complete control throughout the match.
This decisive victory not only highlights the USA Women’s cricket team’s current strength but also reinforces their ambition to excel in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier. With a display of talent, coordination, and sheer determination, the USA team has sent a clear message to their competitors: they are a force to be reckoned with on this journey toward the World Cup. With memories of this powerful performance etched in their minds, the team looks onward, ready to take on both the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead.
Image Source: ICC-CRICKET.COM
