This is a game in the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 that promises plenty of heart as both Lesotho and Zambia look to establish themselves in the regional rankings. Lesotho is a team built on raw talent and a growing passion for the game; they play with a lot of freedom but sometimes struggle with consistency under pressure. Zambia, meanwhile, brings a more experienced core to the table. They’ve played enough international cricket to know how to manage a chase and when to accelerate, making them a very composed unit in tight spots.
Squads:
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
Zambia Women’s Cricket Team
Abigail Kayuni, Esther Mata, Esther Mulenga, Filo Chenda, Josephine Chisoba, Majory Kasongo, Mercy Ngulube, Mutale Kachingo, Nancy Chisuba, Patience Chabuta, Peggy Munsanda, Racheka Simuu, Rosemary Chanda, Tamara Banda, Vivian Mwansa
Players to watch out:
Maneo Nyabela
Maneo has established herself as a genuine all-round threat, featuring in 15 matches where her impact with the ball has been particularly clinical. She leads the wicket-taking charts for this period with 16 scalps, boasting an impressive best of 3/6 and a solid economy rate of 6.75. While her primary role is spearheading the attack, she’s also chipped in with 74 runs over 15 innings, proving she can be a reliable lower-order presence when the team needs to bridge a gap or steady the ship.
Ret’sepile Limema
Ret’sepile has proven to be a strike bowler who knows how to break partnerships, sitting third on the wicket-takers list with 12 victims to her name. Her strike rate of 17.33 is the best among the top three bowlers, suggesting she has a knack for finding a breakthrough every three overs she bowls. Though she’s operated in fewer innings than some of her peers, her ability to maintain pressure is evident in her 3/33 best figures, making her a crucial tactical asset for the 2026 tournament.
Mercy Nguni
Mercy Nguni has made an immediate impact with the ball, establishing herself as a reliable wicket-taking option early in the 2026 season. In her first appearance, she maintained a disciplined line across 3 overs, conceding 19 runs while successfully breaking through the opposition’s lineup to claim her first wicket. With an economy rate of 6.33 and a bowling average of 19.00, she is proving to be a steady hand for her side, showing the composure needed to handle pressure during the middle overs.
Rosemary Chanda
Rosemary Chanda’s presence at the crease has been characterized by intent, even in the early stages of her campaign. During her first innings, she managed to find the boundary once, contributing a quick 5 runs off 8 deliveries to the team total. While her strike rate currently sits at 62.50, her ability to rotate the strike and find gaps suggests she is finding her rhythm and will be looking to convert the starts into more substantial, match-winning scores as the tournament progresses.
Pitch:
This is the premier batting surface in Botswana, often characterized by its hard, true bounce and pale, straw-colored appearance. Fast bowlers often find a bit of zip in the first hour when there is lingering morning moisture, but the pitch quickly flattens out into a batter’s paradise. Batters who trust the bounce can play through the line with confidence, as the ball generally comes onto the bat consistently.
Weather:
Expect a mix of sun and clouds in Gaborone, with a high of 26°C and a low of 16°C. There is a 50% chance of rain during the day, accompanied by a northeast wind at 13 mph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Kananelo Mabitle, Kananelo Molapo, Makopano Mabathoana, Maneo Nyabela, Boitumelo Phelenyane, Ret’sepile Limema, Abigail Kayuni, Esther Mata, Esther Mulenga, Filo Chenda, Rosemary Chanda
Match Details:
Date – April 7, 2026
Time – 5:30 PM IST
Venue – Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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