USA Women vs Scotland Women – ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Preview

Match Details:

• Date: Sunday, 1st February 2026
• Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
• Time: 07:15 AM GMT | 01:00 PM Local | 12:45 PM IST

Match Preview:

The United States of America Women's team and Scotland Women's team are set to clash in a crucial match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier. This encounter promises to be a tight and competitive affair, as both teams look to secure a vital victory on the road to the global stage.

Scotland Women:

Scotland enters the match on a positive note, having bounced back from a disappointing loss to Bangladesh with two consecutive wins. The team has shown resilience and balance, with standout performances from the likes of Katherine Fraser and Kathryn Bryce. Fraser has been a consistent opener, contributing both with the bat and ball, while Bryce has been a dual threat with her all-round capabilities. The bowling attack, led by Maqsood and Slater, has been effective in picking up crucial wickets.

United States of America Women:

The USA, on the other hand, has also found form, particularly with their recent win against Thailand. Chetna Pagydyala has been instrumental in anchoring the innings, while Ritu Singh has added value with her all-round contributions. The USA's bowling unit, spearheaded by Tara Norris, has been in excellent form, with Norris leading the wicket-taking charts. The team will look to build on their momentum and challenge Scotland's dominance in this high-stakes match.

Players to Watch:

Scotland:

• Kathryn Bryce: A true all-rounder, Bryce has been in exceptional form, scoring 122 runs at a strike rate of 117.30 and taking ten wickets in six games.
• Katherine Fraser: The experienced opener has contributed 167 runs at an average of 27.83 and taken seven wickets.
• Abtaha Maqsood: A key member of the bowling attack, Maqsood has consistently delivered under pressure.

United States of America:

• Chetna Pagydyala: The leading run-scorer for the USA, Pagydyala has scored 135 runs in six innings, providing much-needed stability.
• Tara Norris: With 11 wickets at an average of 8.72, Norris is the standout bowler for the USA.
• Ritu Singh: A versatile all-rounder, Singh has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 128 runs and taking three wickets.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches):

• Scotland: 3 wins
• United States of America: 0 wins

Scotland has historically held the upper hand in this rivalry, having won all three matches, with one game abandoned due to rain.

Venue Insights – Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur:

The venue has seen a significant improvement in batting conditions in 2026, with an average first innings score of 140.5. Teams batting first have enjoyed a 55.6% win rate, while those chasing have won 44.4% of matches. The wickets have been relatively consistent, with an average of 6.89 wickets in the first innings.

• Powerplay Overs (16): 1.74 wickets
• Middle Overs (71.5): 2.78 wickets
• Death Overs (16.2): 2.00 wickets

The pitch is expected to assist both batters and bowlers, with a slight edge to teams batting first.

Match Predictions:

• Toss Winner: Scotland
• Match Winner: Scotland
• Top Batter Runs Scored: Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Chetna Pagydyala (USA)
• Top Bowler Wickets Taken: Abtaha Maqsood (Scotland), Tara Norris (USA)
• Most Sixes: Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Ritu Singh (USA)
• Player of the Match: Katherine Fraser (Scotland)
• Team Scores Batting First: Scotland 140+, United States of America 100+

Final Word:

This match could go a long way in determining the group dynamics of the qualifier. Scotland, with their superior record and current form, are slight favorites, but the USA will be eager to make a statement. With a balanced squad and a pitch favoring the aggressive approach, both teams are expected to put on a thrilling display of cricket.