🌍 Tournament Overview — Inaugural ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy

The ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 — the first edition of this landmark tournament — is live in Kigali, Rwanda from April 18 to May 1. It brings together five Associate Member teams from five different ICC regions in a double round-robin format (20 matches total). This is one of the ICC’s newest competitive events, designed specifically to give Associate women’s teams more high-level international match exposure as the Women’s T20 World Cup expands to 12 teams in 2026.

🏆 Tournament At a Glance

  • Teams: Rwanda (Hosts, #25), Italy (#23), Nepal (#21), USA (#24), Vanuatu (#30)
  • Format: Double round-robin — each team plays all others twice (20 matches)
  • Dates: April 18 – May 1, 2026 | Venue: Gahanga Cricket Stadium, Kigali (2 grounds)
  • Stream: FanCode App & Website (Global)
  • Day 1 M1 result: Italy beat Rwanda ✅ | M2: Nepal vs USA (pending)
📅 Day 1 Recap — April 18

Match 1 — Rwanda vs Italy: Italy won, with Alexia Kontopirakis anchoring their innings and the bowlers — led by the formidable Ilenia Sims — sealing the victory. Rwanda lost their home opener and now face a must-win situation against Vanuatu to keep their tournament alive early.

Match 2 — Nepal vs USA: Nepal, the highest-ranked team in the tournament (#21), were strong favourites. Full result details to be confirmed by match time.

🏏 Rwanda Women — Hosts Fighting Back

After their Day 1 defeat to Italy, Rwanda carry the pressure of a home team that has already stumbled. However, this is their second match at the familiar Gahanga venue, and the Oval B ground (smaller and more intimate) has historically suited teams comfortable with its slow, low surface. Rwanda’s squad is genuinely competitive at this level, led by their standout all-rounder.

Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda) — 295 runs in 19 innings (avg 22.69) + 30 wickets in 21 innings (avg 10.60). One of the most impactful all-rounders in Associate women’s cricket.
Rosine Irera (Rwanda) — 23 wickets in 21 innings (avg 11.86). Consistent, economical, and reliable — Rwanda’s second key bowling weapon.
Gisele Ishimwe (Rwanda) — 261 runs in 11 innings (avg 23.72). Batting stability in the middle order.
🇻🇺 Vanuatu Women — The Tournament’s Dark Horse

Vanuatu enter this match with the advantage of fresh legs — they had a bye on Day 1 while all four other teams played. Ranked #30 (lowest in the tournament), they are the team everyone underestimates. But they earned their place by defeating 20th-ranked Indonesia during the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Fiji — a result that showed their capability to beat higher-ranked teams. Their playing style is described as fearless and aggressive — exactly the type of cricket that disrupts cautious home teams expecting straightforward wins.

Playing Rwanda — who just suffered a defeat and will be psychologically pressured — in an unfamiliar (to everyone outside Africa) double-header format on a ground that is new to both teams is precisely Vanuatu’s ideal scenario to produce an upset.

🇷🇼 Rwanda Women Squad

  • Marie Diane Bimenyimana ⭐ (c)
  • Alice Ikuzwe
  • Flora Irakoze
  • Rosine Irera 🎳
  • Gisele Ishimwe
  • Henriette Ishimwe ⭐ (All-rounder)
  • Belise Murekatete
  • Shakila Niyomuhoza
  • Rosette Shimwamana
  • Clarrisse Umutoniwase
  • Fanny Utagushimaninde

🇻🇺 Vanuatu Women Squad

  • Nasimana Navaika (c)
  • Marie Bimenyimana
  • Rachel Andrew
  • Merveille Uwase
  • Alvina Chilia
  • Susan Stephen
  • Vicky Mansale
  • Geovana
  • + TBC members
🔑 Key Match Factors
Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda) — All-round match-winner
With 30 wickets at avg 10.60 AND 295 runs across 19 innings, Ishimwe is the single most impactful cricketer in this match. If she bowls her full quota and contributes with the bat, Rwanda win. Against Vanuatu’s unfamiliar (to Ishimwe’s bowling) batting lineup, her variations on a slow Kigali track should be difficult to counter.
Nasimana Navaika (Vanuatu, captain) — Leadership under pressure
Vanuatu’s captain needs to lead an upset. Her tactical decisions — when to attack, how to rotate Vanuatu’s bowling — will be critical against a Rwanda team that is numerically stronger but psychologically vulnerable after their Day 1 defeat. Navaika’s ability to stay calm and play positive cricket early could unsettle Rwanda’s bowlers.
🏟️ Venue — Gahanga Oval B, Kigali
Gahanga Cricket Stadium was built as Rwanda’s first purpose-built international cricket ground, located on the outskirts of Kigali. Oval B is the smaller of the two adjoining grounds — a more intimate setting that suits the home side’s familiarity. The pitches are characteristically slow and low — favouring disciplined bowling and patient accumulation over aggressive batting. Weather forecast: Scattered thunderstorms possible throughout the day — 55% chance of rain, high 24°C, southeast winds at 5 mph. Rain could interrupt play — both teams should front-load their scoring in the powerplay if batting first.
⚡ Match Prediction
Rwanda Women Win — 60% | Vanuatu Dark Horse — 40%
Rwanda’s home knowledge, Henriette Ishimwe’s all-round quality, and Rosine Irera’s bowling consistency give the hosts a clear advantage on paper. However, Vanuatu’s fresh legs (no Day 1 match), their upset history vs Indonesia, and Rwanda’s psychological vulnerability after their M1 defeat make this genuinely competitive. Rain is the wild card — a shortened match benefits Vanuatu’s aggressive batting style.
🌟 Dream11 / Fantasy Cricket Picks
C
Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda) — 30 wickets at avg 10.60 plus 295 batting runs. The most complete cricketer in this match. Her bowling on Kigali’s slow low track is deadly, and she contributes meaningful runs too. Maximum fantasy points ceiling.
VC
Rosine Irera (Rwanda) — 23 wickets at avg 11.86. Consistent, economical bowler who exploits slow, low tracks. Her economy rate will be under 6 on this surface and she will create wicket opportunities throughout the innings.
DIFF
Nasimana Navaika (Vanuatu, c) — Fresh (no Day 1 match). Vanuatu’s best player and captain. If Vanuatu produce an upset — which is genuinely plausible — their captain will be central to it. High risk, high reward differential. Most users pick Gisele Ishimwe (Rwanda) as their third Rwanda pick.
📺 Broadcast & Streaming

🔴 FanCode App & Website — Live global streaming (India and worldwide)

📅 Match 3 start time: 12:30 PM IST | 7:00 AM GMT | 9:00 AM LOCAL (Kigali)

📅 Match 4 (Italy vs Nepal) follows: 4:30 PM IST | 11:00 AM GMT | 1:00 PM LOCAL

Both matches at Gahanga B Ground (Oval B). Double-header day in Kigali.