USA has recalled talismanic fast bowler Ali Khan to their 50-over squad after a three-year hiatus. This return comes as the team prepares for their final scheduled ODI assignment ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers, which are set to take place in Africa this February. The 35-year-old last participated in this format during the previous World Cup Qualifiers held in Zimbabwe. Khan, who had been in discussions with the team management over a potential return, finds himself back in the reckoning at a timely juncture, with USA looking to assemble their strongest possible squad ahead of the qualifiers.
Alongside Khan, experienced pacer and former vice-captain Jasdeep Singh has been reinstated following an injury layoff that caused him to miss the team’s international duties before the Major League Cricket season in June. These two veterans replace Ritvik Appidi and Rushil Ugarkar. Ugarkar’s exclusion comes despite a strong showing where he secured 12 wickets in six matches at an economy rate under six, most notably taking a five-wicket haul against the UAE in Dubai.
These inclusions bolster a pace attack already anchored by Saurabh Netravalkar and the 35-year-old former Pakistan international Ehsan Adil. The batting lineup continues to rely on captain Monank Patel, vice-captain Sai Teja Mukkamalla, Shehan Jayasuriya, and Milind Kumar. Both Mukkamalla and Kumar have been highly productive in the current cycle, each scoring over 1,100 runs with averages of 52 and 63, respectively. Despite struggling with recent injuries that impacted his form, captain Monank maintains a solid 35-run average with over 900 total runs in the current World Cup League 2 cycle.
In the middle order, Sanjay Krishnamurthi retains his position as a specialist finisher. Boasting a strike rate of 102, he is currently the most explosive batter in the USA setup. The team also faces a selection decision behind the stumps, where Smit Patel is the frontrunner to start over Shayan Jahangir. While Jahangir has shown promise on the T20 circuit, Smit brings significant 50-over experience, having accumulated nearly 900 runs at an average of 35 in the ongoing competition. His strike rate of 102 is the highest among USA’s batters in the competition, one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in the USA setup. Coupled with his accomplished wicketkeeping, Smit is expected to be part of the starting eleven over Jahangir, with close to 900 runs in the competition at an average of 35. Hard-hitting youngster Sanjay Krishnamurthi retains his place and continues to carve out a role as a designated finisher in a batting lineup that has traditionally relied more on accumulation than explosive strokeplay.
USA enters this final stretch with momentum, aiming to complete an impressive World Cup League 2 campaign. They require just two wins from their final four matches over the next ten days to secure the top spot in the standings, which would bring their total to 23 victories out of 36 games across this three-year cycle. The squad will be rounded out by all-rounders Harmeet Singh and Shubham Ranjane, whose dual contributions remain vital to the team’s balance.
Looking toward the qualifiers in February, the selectors may look to further strengthen the roster. Potential additions include the prolific Andries Gous and the emerging talent Amshi de Silva. De Silva, a standout from the most recent MLC season, recently secured a $100,000 contract with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 auction. These additions could provide the necessary depth for USA to aim for an outright tournament victory and earn a direct path to the World Cup. The upcoming series kicks off with a clash against the UAE this Monday.
