USA Seals  U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Berth, Chetna Pagydyala Leads Charge

India-West News Desk

CAYMAN ISLANDS-A dominant USA secured their third consecutive appearance in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup by comprehensively winning the 2026 Americas Qualifier in the Cayman Islands on August 16.

Led by Chetna Pagydyala, a senior international and member of the 2025 Under-19 T20 World Cup squad, the USA delivered a flawless campaign, winning all six matches to finish six points clear of runners-up Canada and qualify for the 2027 edition of the tournament, to be hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal.

India enter the 2027 tournament as defending champions after winning both editions of the competition.

The USA set the tone on the opening day at the Jimmy Powell Oval in West Bay with an eight-wicket victory over Canada. A disciplined bowling effort, headlined by three-wicket hauls from Mahek Desai and Saanvi Immadi, restricted Canada to 65/7. The USA batters then clinically knocked off the target inside 11 overs.

The side maintained its grip on the tournament, completing a sweep of wins against Canada with a second victory on the final day, while also recording two wins each against Argentina and NextGen XI, a regional composite side.

All-rounder Mahek Desai emerged as the standout performer of the competition, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps to earn the Player of the Tournament award.

With the regional triumph, the USA join Samoa from the East Asia-Pacific region and the United Arab Emirates from the Asia region as qualifiers for the 2027 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. The African and European qualifiers are scheduled to be held later this year.