The United States of America (USA) Women and Vanuatu head into the 8th match of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 under pressure, both looking to bounce back from narrow and frustrating defeats. USA are coming off a heartbreaking one-run loss to Rwanda, where they fell just short in a chase that went down to the final over despite strong contributions from the middle order.
Vanuatu, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the tournament after going down to Italy earlier today, with Italy chasing down the target with three balls to spare. Having come close but fallen short in different ways, both teams will see this fixture as a crucial opportunity to get their campaign back on track, making it a high-stakes encounter despite being early in the tournament.
Squads:
United States of America Women’s Cricket Team
Aditiba Chudasama (C), Gargi Bhogle, Taranum Chopra, Nikhar Doshi, Pooja Ganesh (wk), Aparna Gurumurthy, Sainavi Kambalapalli, Maahi Madhavan, Chetna Pagydyala, Chetnaa Prasad, Lekha Shetty, Ritu Singh, Suhani Thadani, Isani Vaghela
Vanuatu Women’s Cricket Team
Alvina Chilia, Susan Stephen, Valenta Langiatu, Anna Griffin, Melissa Fare, Nasimana Navaika, Natalia Kakor, Rachel Andrew, Selina Solman, Gillian Chilia, Mahina Tarimiala, Rayline Ova, Vanessa Vira, Vicky Mansale
Players to watch out:
Taranum Chopra
Taranum Chopra has quickly established herself as a key bowling option for USA, particularly in conditions that favour disciplined seamers. In just 11 T20Is, she has picked up 9 wickets at an average of 16.88 and a strike rate of 16.3, underlining her ability to strike regularly. Her impact was evident in the previous match against Rwanda, where she returned impressive figures of 2 for 5, showcasing both control and wicket-taking ability. On a surface that continues to assist bowlers, Chopra’s knack for maintaining tight lines and breaking partnerships makes her a crucial player for the USA.
Aditiba Chudasama
USA captain Aditiba Chudasama brings stability and composure to the side, particularly in pressure situations. She played a vital role in the last match with an unbeaten 24, guiding the innings through a tricky phase. Across her WT20I career, she has scored 218 runs in 32 matches at a strike rate of 88.61, highlighting her role as a steady middle-order presence. Her ability to anchor and finish innings, combined with her leadership, makes her an important figure in USA’s lineup.
Selina Solman
Selina Solman remains Vanuatu’s standout all-rounder and one of their most reliable performers. With the bat, she has scored 665 runs in 49 T20Is at an average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 94.46, including two half-centuries. Her contribution with the ball is equally significant, having taken 52 wickets at an excellent average of 14.30 and an economy of 4.92, with best figures of 5 for 9. Solman’s ability to influence the game in both departments makes her a central figure for Vanuatu and a player who can shift momentum at any stage.
Vanessa Vira
Vanessa Vira has been one of Vanuatu’s most consistent bowlers, combining accuracy with wicket-taking ability. In 29 T20Is, she has claimed 35 wickets at an outstanding average of 11.34 and an economy rate of 4.09, highlighting her effectiveness in controlling the flow of runs. She reinforced her value in the previous match with figures of 2 for 13 in 4 overs, maintaining pressure while picking up key wickets. On a pitch that favours bowlers, Vira’s discipline and ability to exploit conditions make her a key threat for USA’s batting lineup.
Pitch:
The surface at the Gahanga Ground in Kigali has continued to underline its reputation as a bowler-friendly venue, with the Bermuda grass pitch offering consistent assistance to seamers. Even modest totals have proven competitive, largely because the pitch offers movement early on and maintains enough grip and discipline for bowlers to stay in the game throughout both innings. Notably, teams bowling second have also found success.
Weather:
The conditions in Kigali are expected to remain overcast with a strong chance of rain interruptions. Temperatures are likely to peak around 24°C during the day before dipping to about 16°C in the evening. Winds are expected to be light at approximately 8 km/h, meaning minimal impact on play, but the damp conditions and cloud cover could keep the pitch lively for bowlers throughout the match.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Gargi Bhogle, Sainavi Kambalapalli, Selina Solman, Aditiba Chudasama, Ritu Singh, Pooja Ganesh, Taranum Chopra, Maahi Madhavan, Lekha Shetty, Rachel Andrew, Vanessa Vira
Match Details:
Date – April 22, 2026
Time – 4:30 PM IST
Venue – Gahanga B Ground, Rwanda
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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