Argentina Women produced a commanding performance against Mexico Women in the third T20I of the Argentina Women tour of Mexico 2026, securing a comprehensive 135-run victory in Texcoco on October 25.
A strong middle-order contribution, led by Julieta Cullen and Albertina Galan, helped Argentina post a formidable total before their bowlers dismantled Mexico’s batting line-up to seal an emphatic win. Mexico struggled to build partnerships throughout the chase, eventually being bowled out for 51 in 12.5 overs while pursuing a target of 187.
Argentina Women endured an unsettled start after Mexico made early inroads with the ball. Alina Emch managed just three off seven deliveries before Gabriela Gaby dismissed her at 1.3 overs, leaving Argentina with their first setback. Maria Mastrangelo followed for two off five balls, trapped lbw by Tania Salcedo, while Julia Andujar scored five off four deliveries before Gaby claimed her second wicket. Argentina had slipped to 13/3 inside the opening four overs, giving Mexico an opportunity to take control of the contest.
Milagros Bestani and Julieta Cullen then steadied the innings, rebuilding after the early collapse. Bestani contributed 25 off 25 balls, striking four boundaries, while Cullen provided the attacking impetus that Argentina needed. Their partnership carried the score forward before Salcedo removed Bestani lbw at 69/4 in the 8.1-over mark. Cullen continued to anchor the innings, ensuring the early wickets did not prevent Argentina from posting a competitive total.
Cullen found further support from Albertina Galan, who added 32 off 28 deliveries, including four boundaries. The pair helped Argentina recover and accelerate through the middle overs, putting pressure back on the Mexican bowlers. Their stand was broken when Cullen departed for a superb 58 off 40 balls, having struck seven fours, with Judith Diaz taking the catch off Ivonne Rodriguez at 143/5 in 15.5 overs. Cullen’s innings proved crucial in transforming Argentina’s position after their difficult start.
Galan’s contribution ended at 149/6 when she was stumped by wicketkeeper Jennifer Pastrana off Araceli Perez for 32. Argentina captain Maria Castineiras then added 14 off 11 deliveries, hitting two fours, before Perez dismissed her at 183/7 in the 19.3-over mark. Clara Valencia remained unbeaten on 17 off 13 balls, while Ana Dei Castelli finished on zero not out from five deliveries. Their presence helped Argentina close out the innings strongly, reaching 186/7 in 20 overs, at a run rate of 9.30.
Argentina also benefited from 30 extras, including two byes, 18 no-balls and 10 wides, which added valuable runs to their total. Tania Salcedo finished with two wickets for 26 runs in four overs, while Gabriela Gaby also claimed two wickets, conceding 35 runs. Ivonne Rodriguez picked up one wicket for 37 runs, and Araceli Perez returned two wickets for 46 runs, although her four overs proved expensive. Anna Septien completed her spell without a wicket, conceding 40 runs in four overs.
Chasing 187 for victory, Mexico Women needed a strong start and meaningful partnerships to remain competitive. However, Argentina’s bowlers immediately put the hosts under pressure, and the chase quickly unravelled. Anna Septien scored nine off 16 balls, including one four, but Ana Dei Castelli dismissed the Mexican captain to provide Argentina with their first breakthrough.
Gabriela Gaby managed two off six deliveries before Clara Valencia trapped her lbw, while Zitalli Hernandez was dismissed for two off nine balls by Julia Andujar. Mexico had lost three wickets for just 22 runs by the end of the fifth over, leaving the batting line-up with a steep challenge.
Tania Salcedo briefly attempted to stabilise the innings, scoring five off six balls, including a boundary, before Constanza Sosa dismissed her with Julieta Cullen taking the catch. The situation worsened when Jennifer Pastrana, who scored five off 19 deliveries, was caught and bowled by Alina Emch. Mexico’s innings continued to collapse as Judith Diaz was dismissed for a duck by Maria Lehmann, who then removed Araceli Perez and Ivonne Rodriguez without allowing either batter to score.
Lehmann’s outstanding spell became the defining feature of the chase. She claimed three wickets for just one run in two overs, including a maiden, leaving Mexico with little opportunity to recover. Albertina Galan also struck when she bowled Rodriguez, while Virginia Diaz fell for a duck after facing nine deliveries, caught by Bestani off Lehmann. Clara Valencia and her teammates kept the pressure on, and Emch dismissed Maddelyn Fernanda for a duck to complete the innings at 51 in 12.5 overs.
Mexico’s extras contributed 28 runs, comprising seven byes, one leg-bye, three no-balls and 17 wides. Alongside Lehmann’s three-wicket haul, Emch took two wickets without conceding a run in 0.5 overs. Andujar returned figures of 1/12 in two overs, Sosa claimed 1/9 in three overs, Valencia took 1/12 in 0.4 overs, Galan finished with 1/6 in 2.2 overs, and Dei Castelli picked up one wicket for three runs in one over. Mastrangelo also bowled a maiden over, conceding no runs without taking a wicket.
The combination of Cullen’s attacking half-century, Galan’s valuable contribution and Lehmann’s remarkable bowling figures ensured Argentina Women controlled the contest after recovering from their early batting collapse. Their total of 186/7 proved far beyond Mexico’s reach, as the hosts were dismissed for 51 to hand Argentina a 135-run victory in the third T20I.
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