USA have recalled talismanic fast bowler Ali Khan to their 50-over squad after a hiatus of more than three years, as they prepare for their final scheduled ODI assignment before the World Cup Qualifiers in Africa in February. The 35-year-old last featured in the format for USA during the previous edition of the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Squad: Smit Patel, Monank Patel (captain), Shehan Jayasuriya, Sai Teja Mukkamalla (vice-captain), Milind Kumar, Shubham Ranjane, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Ehsan Adil, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shayan Jahangir, Yasir Mohammad, Ali Khan, Jasdeep Singh
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. He is joined by fellow fast bowler and former vice-captain Jasdeep Singh, who returns from an injury layoff after opting out of USA’s previous international assignment ahead of MLC in June.
The experienced duo replace Rushil Ugarkar and teenage fast bowler Ritvik Appidi. Ugarkar, in particular, may consider himself unfortunate to miss out after an impressive run in the format. The 23-year-old claimed 12 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of under six, including a five-wicket haul in Dubai where he dismantled the UAE top order and helped bundle out the hosts cheaply.
The recalls add further experience to an already ageing pace attack spearheaded by Saurabh Netravalkar. Former Pakistan international Ehsan Adil, 35, retains his place, leaving USA with considerable international experience in their fast-bowling ranks as they approach the end of the qualification cycle.
In the batting department, captain Monank Patel, vice-captain Sai Teja Mukkamalla, Shehan Jayasuriya and Milind Kumar will once again form the backbone of the USA lineup. Mukkamalla and Kumar have been particularly prolific during the current World Cup League 2 cycle, with both amassing over 1,100 runs at averages of 52 and 63 respectively.
Monank, however, has not been his customary prolific self in the last couple of ODI series, partly due to injuries. Despite the recent dip, the USA captain has maintained a healthy average of 35 in the current World Cup League 2 cycle, amassing over 900 runs. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the upcoming fixtures offer him an opportunity to regain his run-scoring touch and build momentum ahead of the all-important tournament.
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. One of the cleanest strikers of the ball in the USA setup, his strike rate of 102 is the highest among USA’s batters in the competition.
There could also be an interesting selection call at the top of the order, where Smit Patel may have the edge over Shayan Jahangir for the wicketkeeper-opener’s position. Despite Jahangir’s impressive form on the T20 franchise circuit over the past year, Smit’s credentials in the 50-over format could tilt the balance in his favour. With close to 900 runs in the competition at an average of 35, coupled with his accomplished wicketkeeping, Smit is expected to be part of the starting eleven over Jahangir.
All-rounders Harmeet Singh and Shubham Ranjane will continue to shoulder considerable responsibility, with their ability to contribute across disciplines remaining central to USA’s balance.
USA enter the upcoming assignment with an opportunity to put the finishing touches on an impressive World Cup League 2 campaign. Two victories from their remaining four fixtures over the next ten days would be sufficient to secure the top spot in the standings, taking their tally to 23 wins from 36 matches across a gruelling three-year cycle.
The squad could be strengthened further by the time the World Cup Qualifiers arrive in February. Prolific batter Andries Gous remains a potential addition, while the emergence of Amshi de Silva has given the selectors another intriguing option.
De Silva was among the standout discoveries of the recent MLC season and subsequently attracted a remarkable $100,000 bid from Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the ILT20 auction. His potential inclusion, alongside Gous, could add further firepower to a USA side that will fancy its chances of winning the qualification tournament outright in February and securing direct passage to the World Cup proper.
USA play their first of the four scheduled tri-series ODIs against UAE on Monday.
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