Hosts Rwanda come into the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 with the distinct advantage of playing in front of a passionate home crowd at Gahanga. They’ve been in fantastic rhythm lately, spearheaded by the consistent Henriette Ishimwe and the tactical leadership of Marie Diane Bimenyimana. On the other side, Vanuatu is the dark horse of this tournament. They might be ranked lower, but they have a knack for punching above their weight, famously toppling higher-ranked sides like Indonesia recently. While Rwanda relies on their familiarity with these slow, gripping tracks, Vanuatu brings a fearless, aggressive style of cricket that could easily rattle the hosts if they get off to a flyer.
Squads:
Rwanda Women’s Cricket Team
Marie Bimenyimana (C), Alice Ikuzwe, Flora Irakoze, Rosine Irera, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Belise Murekatete, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Rosette Shimwamana, Clarrisse Umutoniwase, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Geovanis Uwase, Merveille Uwase (WK), Ruth Uwimana
Vanuatu Women’s Cricket Team
Alvina Chilia, Susan Stephen, Valenta Langiatu, Anna Griffin, Melissa Fare, Nasimana Navaika, Natalia Kakor, Rachel Andrew, Selina Solman, Gillian Chilia, Mahina Tarimiala, Rayline Ova, Vanessa Vira, Vicky Mansale
Players to watch out:
Gisele Ishimwe
A reliable presence at the top of the order, Gisele has amassed 1709 runs in her WT20I career with a solid average of 19.64. Her standout moment remains a brilliant unbeaten 114 against Eswatini, and she maintains a strike rate of 83.73 that helps anchor the Rwandan innings. While primarily a batter, she has also chipped in with 14 wickets, proving she can provide a breakthrough with the ball when the captain calls on her.
Henriette Ishimwe
Henriette is a genuine game-changer and perhaps one of the most effective all-rounders in the associate circuit. She has a staggering 146 wickets to her name at an incredible average of just 10.43, including a career-best 5/6 against Cameroon. With the bat, she is just as dangerous, having scored 1,321 runs with a strike rate close to 100, making her the heartbeat of the Rwandan squad.
Rachel Andrew
Rachel serves as the cornerstone for the Vanuatu national side, leading from the front with a career tally of 1,185 runs. She holds an impressive high score of 106* and maintains a strike rate over 101, proving she can take the game away from the opposition very quickly. Beyond her batting, she has claimed 52 wickets at a frugal economy of 4.45, making her an indispensable dual-threat on the field.
Nasimana Navaika
An essential all-rounder for Vanuatu, Nasimana has built a solid resume with 601 runs and 58 wickets across her 48 T20I appearances. She is known for her effective leg-break bowling, which yields a wicket roughly every 14 balls, and she recently notched a career-best 4/10 against Samoa. Her ability to contribute to all three departments makes her a key tactical asset for her captain in high-pressure qualifiers.
Pitch:
The Gahanga B Ground in Kigali is known for its Bermuda Grass pitch, which provides a modern, professional surface typical of international standard venues. The track has generally favored bowlers; statistics from the venue show a significant edge for seamers, who have historically accounted for over 70% of wickets in women’s T20Is here.
Weather:
The weather in Kigali will feature scattered thunderstorms during the day with a high temperature of 24°C and a 55% chance of rain. Winds will be light at 5 mph from the southeast, while the night is expected to be cloudy with a low of 16°C.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Marie Bimenyimana, Alice Ikuzwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Merveille Uwase, Alvina Chilia, Susan Stephen, Rachel Andrew, Nasimana Navaika, Vicky Mansale
Match Details:
Date – April 19, 2026
Time – 12:30 PM IST
Venue – Gahanga B Ground, Rwanda
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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