The United States cricket team has disclosed its roster for the upcoming T20I series against Nepal, scheduled to begin on October 18 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The squad selection reflects a mix of returning stars and fresh faces, with some significant changes as the team prepares to compete on home ground.
Steven Taylor and Nitish Kumar left out of the side
Former captain Steven Taylor has been excluded from the lineup for the T20I series against Nepal. The 31-year-old has had a challenging period, grappling with a dip in form throughout the World Cup and the recent ODI series against the Netherlands. Taylor, who was included in the T20I squad for the Netherlands matches, was ‘rested’ after suffering an injury during the preceding 50-over games. His omission from this series highlights ongoing concerns about his form and readiness.
Nitish Kumar has also been omitted, marking another significant change in the team. The ex-Canada skipper, who made the switch to represent the USA earlier this year, has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 13 in his last seven innings since the World Cup. Despite a promising start with a notable 27-run knock against India, Kumar’s decline in form led to his exclusion from the team for the upcoming matches.
Ali Khan returns to strengthen the bowling lineup
The USA’s pace attack will be bolstered by the return of Ali Khan. The 33-year-old fast bowler is set to make his comeback in USA side for the first time since the World Cup, having missed the Netherlands tour and sitting out the CPL season due to a leg injury. His return is anticipated to add much-needed depth and experience to the USA’s bowling unit as they take on Nepal.
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Monank Patel resumes captaincy; Aaron Jones rejoins
Monank Patel will lead the team once again after recovering from a shoulder issue that kept him out of the T20I series in Namibia. As the captain, Patel’s leadership will be vital for the team’s success. Additionally, Aaron Jones makes a return to the side, having opted to play in the CPL with the St. Lucia Kings instead of joining the USA on the Namibia tour. With these seasoned players back, the USA team is poised to deliver a solid performance against Nepal.
USA squad for Nepal T20Is:
Monank Patel (Captain), Andries Gous, Abhishek Paradkar, Ayan Desai, Harmeet Singh, Juanoy Drysdale, Milind Kumar, Ali Khan, Nosthusha Kenjige, Jasdeep Singh, Aaron Jones, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Shayan Jahangir, Utkarsh Srivastava, Yasir Mohammad.