Ali Khan returns to the USA T20I squad while former captain Steven Taylor and Nitish Kumar are dropped ahead of the T20I series against Nepal.

USA versus Nepal T20I Series, 2024

Ali Khan has returned and the USA has dropped Steven Taylor and Nitish Kumar for the T20Is against Nepal

Ali Khan last represented the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup © Getty

Former captain Steven Taylor has been dropped from the T20I squad for the upcoming series against Nepal later this week.

The 31-year-old has struggled with poor form throughout the T20 World Cup and the 50-over series in the Netherlands, leading to his exclusion.

Although Taylor was part of the T20I squad in the Netherlands, he was “rested” due to an injury he picked up during the preceding 50-over series.

Sources suggest that Taylor was still “recuperating” from his injury when the team departed for the Namibia tour, which was believed to be the reason for his absence.

Despite regaining form and fitness with twin centuries in the recently concluded Minor League T20, his performances were overlooked.

Also dropped was Nitish Kumar, who averaged just 13 in his last seven innings since the World Cup.

The former Canada captain, who switched allegiances to the USA ahead of the T20 World Cup, saw his form decline after an impressive 27 against India.

Meanwhile, Smit Patel, who had been rising in American cricket, has been sidelined for six weeks due to a groin injury, ruling him out of the 50-over tri-series following the T20I series.

USA will, however, be bolstered by the return of star fast bowler Ali Khan.

The 33-year-old is set to make his first appearance for the USA since the World Cup, having missed the Netherlands tour and a CPL season with Trinbago Knight Riders due to a leg injury.

Aaron Jones also returns after opting to play in the CPL for St. Lucia Kings instead of touring Namibia with the USA.

It is believed that Jones might have been overlooked for the Nepal series if not for his match-winning performance in the CPL final, which garnered widespread attention.

Monank Patel will resume captaincy after a shoulder injury forced him to sit out the T20Is in Namibia.

Utkarsh Srivastava, 17, retains his place for the third consecutive tour but has only featured once in 15 games since his inclusion in the squad.

Squad: 

Player Name
Monank Patel (Captain)
Andries Gous
Abhishek Paradkar
Ayan Desai
Harmeet Singh
Juanoy Drysdale
Milind Kumar
Ali Khan
Nosthusha Kenjige
Jasdeep Singh
Aaron Jones
Saiteja Mukkamalla
Shayan Jahangir
Utkarsh Srivastava
Yasir Mohammad

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