Venue: Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone Date & Time: April 10, 2026 — 1:00 PM IST | 7:30 AM GMT | 9:30 AM LOCAL
Overview — The Plate Phase Begins
While Brazil and Botswana contest the Super League’s top prize, the Plate phase gives three teams — Malawi, Lesotho, and Zambia — the opportunity to end their tournament positively.
For cricket development across Southern and Eastern Africa, these Plate matches carry genuine importance: ICC ranking points, bilateral record establishment, and the confidence-building that sustains long-term program growth.
Plate Teams and their league stage records:
- Malawi Women: 1W-4L (beat Lesotho in M2, lost to BRA, BOT, ZAM, and likely MOZ in M13)
- Lesotho Women: 1W-4L (shocking win vs Zambia in M7, lost to MAL M2, BOT M3, MOZ M11, BRA M14)
- Zambia Women: 0W-5L
Lesotho’s M7 Win — The Most Surprising Result of the Tournament
Lesotho Women — who had been bowled out for 29 (vs BOT) and 46 (vs MAL) on Day 1 — came back to beat Zambia Women by 2 wickets in M7 on April 7. ZAM 53/6, LES 54/2 in 7.4 overs. This result was extraordinary:
- Zambia only managed 53/6 in 20 overs — one of the tournament’s lowest totals outside of LES and ZAM’s own collapses
- Lesotho chased 54 in just 7.4 overs — 54/2, losing only 2 wickets
- The psychological impact of this win on Lesotho’s squad cannot be overstated. After 29 all out and 46 all out, they had won a competitive T20I match
Lesotho’s M14 horror (vs Brazil): Being bowled out for 13 runs — 3 wickets in over 2 (2/3 before 2 overs complete), eventually dismissed in 6.2 overs — represents a complete team mental collapse against Brazil’s quality. But that was Brazil. This is Malawi.
Malawi Women — Form and Squad
Full squad (confirmed): Sophina Chinawa, Sugeni Kananji, Allinafe Alfonso, Elizabeth Mapisa, Lucy Malino, Praise Maziya, Febbe Malefula, Triphonia Luka, Caroleen Mangulama, Monica Ndipo, Euless Chilarile, Bridget Kasinja, Eva Kabwere, Winnie Matabwa, Christina Bwanali
Malawi’s league stage:
- M2 (beat LES): 9-wicket win, chased 47 in 5 overs
- M5 (lost to BRA): Bowled out for 31 in 12.1 overs — completely outclassed
- M9 (lost to BOT): 64 all out, lost by 23 runs — competitive but insufficient
- M13 (vs MOZ): Result from April 9
Malawi’s strengths: Their opening pair chase competitively — the 47/1 in 5 overs against Lesotho showed genuine explosive batting at the top. Against weaker bowling (LES, ZAM), they should score consistently.
Malawi vs Lesotho head-to-head (this tournament): M2: Malawi won by 9 wickets (LES 46/10, MAL 47/1 in 5 ov). This is the most clear-cut head-to-head reference point. Malawi completely dominated.
The Lesotho Resilience Story
Despite the tournament’s harshest results (29, 46, and 13 all out), Lesotho Women have:
- Won a T20I match against competitive opposition (Zambia)
- Shown individual batting promise — their M7 chase (54/2 in 7.4 overs) was efficient
- Demonstrated they can bowl sides out — Zambia’s 53/6 in 20 overs showed Lesotho’s bowling can contain batters when the conditions aren’t extreme
For a team making their first-ever appearance in this tournament, surviving the entire league stage, winning one match, and now competing in the Plate final rounds is a genuine achievement that Lesotho Cricket should celebrate.
Lesotho’s squad (identified players from match data): Kananelo Molapo, Kananelo Mabitle, Makopano Mabathoana, Tshepang Khabo, Maneo Nyabela, Thato Mahe, Nthatuoa Thekiso, Boitumelo Tlali, Retsepile Limema, Lindiwe Polaki (most dismissed in M14 vs Brazil)
Today Match Prediction: Malawi Women vs Lesotho Women
- Predicted Winner: Malawi Women (65%)
Malawi’s 9-wicket win over Lesotho in M2 is the definitive head-to-head reference. Lesotho’s win in M7 (vs Zambia) came from bowling a weaker side to just 53 — against Malawi’s more accomplished batting, that bowling will be less effective. However, Malawi lost to BOT by 23 runs (only scoring 64) and to BRA by 136 runs — suggesting their batting has a ceiling of around 80-100 against quality bowling.
Lesotho’s path to victory: Restrict Malawi to under 70 (achievable — their bowling vs ZAM showed they can limit scores) and then chase efficiently using the M7 template. A 60-run target chased by their opening pair from the M7 result is within their capability.
Fantasy Tips: Captain: Malawi’s explosive opening batter (chased 47 in 5 overs in M2). VC: Malawi’s leading wicket-taker. Differential: Lesotho’s best bowler (if they restrict Malawi to 60-70, their wicket-taking bowler becomes high-value).
Also Read- Botswana Women vs Brazil Women