The showdown between the USA and Nepal in the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 undoubtedly the headline fixture of the round, featuring the current table-toppers against a side desperate to reclaim their momentum. The USA sits comfortably in first place with six points and a massive Net Run Rate of +2.100, having won three of their four matches. Nepal is currently in third place, level on four points with Rwanda and Italy but trailing on Net Run Rate at -0.169. For Nepal, this isn’t just about the points; it’s about making a statement against the most dominant team in the competition so far.
Squads:
Nepal Women’s Cricket Team
Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato (VC), Suman Bist, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Rubi Poddar (WK), Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay
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
Players to watch out:
Chetana Pagydyala
Chetana Pagydyala has been in sublime form for the USA, leading the run charts with an impressive tally of 153 runs. Boasting an average of 51.00 and a top score of 81*, she has anchored the top order with immense confidence. Her tally of 13 fours and 2 sixes reflect a player who is seeing the ball clearly and possesses the power to clear the ropes at will.
Samjhana Khadka
Nepal’s Samjhana Khadka has brought a real spark to the tournament with her aggressive intent and high energy. She has notched up 94 runs at a brisk strike rate of 122.07, the highest among the top run-getters, making her a genuine game-changer. With 14 boundaries in four innings, she is clearly someone who looks to dominate the powerplay and put the bowlers on the back foot immediately.
Taranum Chopra
Taranum Chopra has been a consistent wicket-taking threat for the USA, using her accuracy to stifle batters. She has claimed 6 wickets in her four appearances, maintaining an exceptional economy rate of 3.44. Her best performance of 2/5 is a testament to how difficult she is to get away, often forcing mistakes through sheer persistence and clever variations.
Kabita Kunwar
Kabita Kunwar has led the Nepalese bowling attack with great skill, frequently breaking partnerships just as they look dangerous. She has accounted for 6 wickets with the best of 2/12, proving herself to be a reliable option across different phases of the game. While she maintains a solid economy of 4.63, it is her strike rate of 14.66 that really stands out, showing she rarely goes long without celebrating a dismissal.
Pitch:
The Gahanga B Ground in Kigali is known for its Bermuda Grass pitch, which provides a modern, professional surface typical of international standard venues. The track has generally favored bowlers; statistics from the venue show a significant edge for seamers, who have historically accounted for over 70% of wickets in women’s T20Is here.
Weather:
Expect scattered thunderstorms during the day and cloudy skies at night, with a high of 22°C, a low of 15°C, and a 65% chance of rain.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Aditiba Chudasama, Gargi Bhogle, Taranum Chopra, Maahi Madhavan, Chetna Pagydyala, Isani Vaghela, Indu Barma, Puja Mahato, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Kabita Kunwar
Match Details:
Date – April 26, 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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