The USA Women’s cricket team have suffered a significant blow during the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 in Nepal, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspending seam bowler Isani Vaghela from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

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The decision comes mid-tournament, dealing a setback to USA’s qualification hopes. Vaghela has been a key figure in the campaign, picking up four wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 6.40. Her absence as a bowling option will force the team management to rethink their plans for the remaining fixtures.

The 20-year-old was first reported by match officials following USA’s match against Ireland. The ICC’s Event Panel later reviewed footage from her subsequent game and concluded that her bowling action did not comply with the regulations.

“The USA’s Isani Vaghela has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect after the ICC’s Event Panel confirmed that the seam bowler uses an illegal bowling action,” the ICC said in a media release.

The governing body confirmed that the suspension will remain in place until Vaghela undergoes a fresh assessment of her bowling action.

“The Event Panel reviewed match footage of Vaghela’s bowling action in her subsequent match and concluded that she employs an illegal bowling action and, as such, in accordance with Article 6.7 of the regulations, she is suspended from bowling in international cricket,” the release stated.

“Vaghela’s suspension shall remain in place until such time as she submits to a re-assessment of her bowling action which confirms that she can bowl without using an illegal bowling action.”

While Vaghela can continue to represent the USA as a specialist batter, the loss of a frontline seamer is a major setback as the team pushes for a spot in the main tournament.

Aaron Jones provisionally suspended

In further trouble for USA cricket, men’s team batter Aaron Jones has been provisionally suspended from all forms of the game just days before the T20 World Cup.

The ICC has charged Jones with five breaches of its anti-corruption code, relating to alleged match-fixing during the 2023–24 Bim10 League in Barbados and failure to report corrupt approaches during international matches.

Jones, one of USA’s standout performers during their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, has been forced to leave the squad. He will not feature in the tournament, with the USA set to open their campaign against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7.