Veteran player Isani Vaghela has shared that her USA team is united in their quest to secure their inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup victory.
The USA participated in the inaugural tournament in 2023 but did not manage to achieve victory during the group stage or in the fourth-place play-offs.
All-rounder Vaghela, who was part of the squad in South Africa two years prior, is returning for another opportunity in Malaysia.
Isani Vaghela
“The 2023 World Cup definitely didn’t go our way, but we had a lot of learning from it,” she acknowledged.
“I think we learned more about our game and we grew as a team and learned more about each other.
“We know what strengths we had and what weaknesses we had, and we’ve worked hard on our strengths. We are here now and we are stronger, hopefully getting the results we want.
“It would mean a lot to us to get a win here. Especially as a lot of us were in the 2023 World Cup and we didn’t get that first win.
“I know the whole team wants it, every game we are playing with the same passion and energy, working towards the same goal. Getting that first win would be incredible.”
Seven players from the squad that competed in South Africa in 2023 have returned, and their strong camaraderie was evident as the USA triumphed in both of their warm-up matches leading up to the tournament in Malaysia.
While aiming for their first U19 World Cup victory is the primary focus, many players are also looking to establish themselves within the senior team ahead of the LA 2028 Olympics on home turf.
Vaghela, a native of California, stated: “I’m from the Bay Area in California, where there’s a substantial cricket community.
“I think cricket is really picking up around the US, especially after the men’s World Cup; people are becoming more aware of the sport and are eager to participate.
“I definitely think it’s growing. With the upcoming Olympics, there’s an increased interest as well.
“It was a significant moment for the US to be a part of the men’s World Cup and deliver that performance. It certainly contributed to the growth of cricket in America.
“The LA Olympics is a significant milestone for many of us, representing a tremendous opportunity and another reason for cricket to flourish in the United States.”
Vaghela made her senior debut in 2021, coinciding with her brother Vatsal’s debut for the men’s team.
At 19 years of age, she has participated in T20 and Cricket World Cup qualifiers that year and more recently played in an ODI series against Zimbabwe as part of the senior side.
Her international experience allows her to feel no pressure to lead, yet Vaghela is eager to support younger teammates as they navigate their first World Cup competition.
“This group is a good mix of players who have represented the senior team and those who are new to the senior team,” she said.
“It’s not necessarily a responsibility, but we can guide the younger players. The experience we bring from the senior level enhances the team’s performance, which I believe gives us an advantage.
“We have ample senior experience, and the bond among us is exceptional.
“We understand each other very well, which I think is crucial. Teams that have a solid connection on the field, are energetic, and gel well tend to perform better.
“We brought a lot of energy and passion to our first game, and we aim to carry that into upcoming matches, playing with the same spirit and adhering to our strategies.
“We’ll prepare for the new opponent, but ultimately it’s about executing the fundamentals effectively.”
Image Source: usacricket.org
