KATHMANDU, NEPAL – American women’s cricket suffered a double blow after bowler Isani Vaghela was banned from bowling in international matches and the team failed to qualify for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Vaghela’s suspension on January 31, 2026, under Article 6.7 of the ICC Regulations, after finding that her bowling action was illegal.
Just one day later, on February 1, the USA lost their final qualifying match to Scotland by 41 runs, ending their World Cup dreams.
Scotland, Ireland, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands secured the four available spots for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, leaving Team USA out of the tournament.
What Happened to Vaghela?
The trouble started when match officials noticed something wrong with Vaghela’s bowling during the USA’s game against Ireland. They reported her action to the ICC for review.
The ICC Event Panel, a group of biomechanical experts, then watched video footage of her bowling in her next match against Thailand.
They found that her elbow bends too much when she releases the ball, exceeding the 15-degree extension limit allowed under cricket rules. This is commonly called “chucking” or “throwing” instead of legal bowling.
The 20-year-old all-rounder has been one of the USA’s most important players, taking over 30 wickets in nearly 40 T20 international matches. She’s known for being difficult to score against, with an impressively low economy rate.
What Happens Next for Vaghela?
Vaghela can still play cricket, but only as a batter. She cannot bowl until she fixes her action.
To bowl again internationally, she must:
- Work with specialized coaches to correct her bowling technique
- Undergo testing at an official ICC-accredited biomechanical center
- Pass an independent assessment proving her action now complies with regulations
This rehabilitation process typically takes several months, meaning her return to bowling remains uncertain.
A Difficult Week for USA Cricket
Vaghela’s suspension came during an already troubling period for American cricket.
Just days earlier, men’s star Aaron Jones received a provisional suspension, facing five charges under ICC and Cricket West Indies anti-corruption codes.
Most of the charges against Jones stem from his participation in the 2023-24 Bim10 tournament in Barbados, though two relate to international matches.
The timing is particularly damaging as Jones was a hero of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and was expected to lead the USA team in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins later this month in India and Sri Lanka.
The combination of Jones’s anti-corruption charges and Vaghela’s bowling ban has raised serious questions about USA Cricket’s governance and player development systems.
A Silver Lining
Despite the team’s failure to qualify and Vaghela’s suspension, there was one bright spot for American cricket at the qualifier tournament.
USA bowler Tara Norris finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and was named the best bowler of the competition, a remarkable individual achievement amid the team’s collective disappointment.
For Vaghela, this suspension represents both a major setback and an opportunity to rebuild her technique. Whether she can successfully remodel her action and return to international cricket will determine her future in the sport.
