Match 2: Malawi Women vs Lesotho Women - Squads, Preview and Live Streaming Details

The second fixture of the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 provides a massive opportunity for both sides to prove they are more than just participants in this year’s edition. Lesotho comes into this as the clear underdog, still looking for that one breakout performance to announce themselves on the continental stage. Malawi, on the other hand, has a psychological edge, having held the upper hand in their most recent head-to-head encounters. They play a gritty, determined style of cricket that often grinds opponents down, and they’ll be looking to start their campaign by asserting that dominance once again.

Squads:

Malawi Women’s Cricket Team

Alinafe Alfonso, Euless Chilarile, Febbe Malefula, Sophina Chinawa, Triphonia Luka, Esther Richard, Lidia Dimba, Sugeni Kananji, Tadala Mpandakwaya, Praise Maziya, Christina Bwanali, Eva Kabwere, Ketrina Chingaipe, Lucy Malino

Lesotho Women’s Cricket Team

Kananelo Mabitle, Kananelo Molapo, Makopano Mabathoana, Nthatuoa Thekiso, Tshepang Khabo, Maneo Nyabela, Tanki Ramabitsa, Thato Mahe, Paballo Pheko, Thandi Kobeli, Boitumelo Phelenyane, Boitumelo Tlali, Mosa Tsemane, Ret’sepile Limema

Players to watch out:

Kananelo Molapo

Kananelo is a developing top-order presence who has featured in 15 matches since her debut in 2023. While she is still looking for a breakout big score, she has managed to cross the 100-run career milestone with a personal best of 29. She has shown an ability to dig in during tough periods, facing over 225 balls in her international career so far, and will be looking to improve her strike rate as she gains more experience on the big stage.

Ret’sepile Limema

Ret’sepile has emerged as a genuine wicket-taking threat since 2023, boasting the best bowling strike rate among her peers at 17.33. In just 11 innings, she has already accounted for 12 wickets, often utilized in short, aggressive bursts to unsettle opposition batters. While her economy rate of 8.42 is slightly higher, her strike-first mentality and best figures of 3/33 make her the ideal “X-factor” bowler to turn a game around.

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Lidia Dimba

Lidia has established herself as a reliable top-order presence since her debut in 2023. In her 20 matches, she has accumulated 310 runs with a solid strike rate of 81.57. Her career-best of 74* proves she has the temperament to carry an entire innings, while her 40 career boundaries suggest she is skilled at finding gaps and keeping the scoreboard moving under pressure.

Lucy Malino

Lucy has been a standout performer with the ball, quickly becoming a primary strike option since 2023. She has claimed 21 wickets in 19 matches at a very impressive average of 16.66. Her ability to strike every 18 balls on average, combined with a tidy economy rate of 5.41 and best figures of 4/14, makes her one of the most dangerous threats in the bowling department for this tournament.

Pitch:

Frequent usage tends to leave the surface more abrasive and less grassy, causing the ball to scuff rapidly and bringing reverse swing into play earlier than expected. The dry, dusty patches that develop around the popping crease make middle-over accumulation a tactical challenge, often forcing batting sides to rely more on placement and running than raw power hitting.

Weather:

The conditions will be sunny with a high of 29°C and a low of 16°C. With 0% chance of rain and a light 5 mph wind from the northwest, expect the ovals to remain bone-dry and bake further under the sun, intensifying the spin-friendly conditions as the day progresses.

Fantasy Playing XI:

Sophina Chinawa, Triphonia Luka, Esther Richard, Lidia Dimba, Sugeni Kananji, Lucy Malino, Kananelo Molapo, Maneo Nyabela, Thandi Kobeli, Mosa Tsemane, Ret’sepile Limema

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