Nepal Women held their nerve in a low-scoring thriller to edge past Rwanda Women by 2 wickets in Match 7 of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 at Kigali, in a contest where every run, every partnership, and every breakthrough carried immense weight. In a game dominated by disciplined bowling and gritty batting, it was Samjhana Khadka’s composed knock that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Rwanda’s innings never quite found sustained momentum after being put under early pressure. The opening pair of Fanny Utagushimaninde and Gisele Ishimwe struggled to get going, with Nepal’s bowlers striking early to reduce them to 4/1 in 1.3 overs and 6/2 by 2.4 overs. Utagushimaninde managed just 2 off 8 balls, while Ishimwe fell for 1, as Manisha Upadhayay and Kabita Kunwar applied immediate pressure with tight lines.
Alice Ikuzwe and Merveille Uwase attempted to rebuild, stitching together a crucial 28-run partnership for the third wicket. Ikuzwe’s 17 off 31 balls anchored the innings briefly, while Uwase added a steady 15 from 20 deliveries. However, just as Rwanda looked to stabilize at 34/3 in 9.2 overs, Rachana Chaudhary struck to break the stand. The middle-order collapse followed quickly, with wickets tumbling from 41/4 to 50/7 in a short span. Henriette Ishimwe fell for a duck, while skipper Marie Bimenyimana could only add 2 runs.
Clarisse Uwase (13 off 20) and Geovianis Uwase (8 off 10) tried to revive the innings with a fighting 25-run stand, pushing the score to 74/8 by the 17th over. Rosine Irera then provided a late push with a brisk 12 off 13 balls, including two boundaries, but Rwanda were eventually bowled out for 88 in 19.4 overs.
Nepal’s bowling unit delivered a collective performance, with Rachana Chaudhary leading the charge with an impressive 3-wicket haul in her 3 overs. Kabita Kunwar and Puja Mahato picked up 2 wickets each, while Manisha Upadhayay and Riya Sharma chipped in with one apiece. Their disciplined effort ensured Rwanda never broke free, maintaining a modest run rate of 4.47.
Chasing 89, Nepal’s innings mirrored Rwanda’s in terms of early struggles. Bindu Rawal and Samjhana Khadka opened cautiously, but Rawal fell for 10 off 21 balls at 51/1 in 8.5 overs, ending a patient opening stand. Khadka, however, stood firm, playing the anchor role with great maturity. Her innings of 48 off 42 balls, laced with 7 boundaries, kept Nepal in the hunt despite wickets falling around her.
Puja Mahato (13 off 20) supported Khadka in a steady 23-run partnership for the second wicket, taking Nepal to 74/2 in 12.4 overs. But Rwanda fought back brilliantly through their bowlers. Geovianis Uwase triggered a collapse, removing key batters, while Gisele Ishimwe delivered a remarkable spell, picking up 2 wickets for just 1 run in 2 overs.
From 74/2, Nepal slipped to 86/8 by the 19th over, with Indu Barma, Kabita Kunwar, Kabita Joshi, Rubina Chhetry, and Rubi Poddar all departing cheaply. Henriette Ishimwe also contributed with 2 wickets, ensuring the chase went down to the wire. With just a few runs needed and tension at its peak, Rachana Chaudhary (3* off 9) held her composure alongside Riya Sharma to guide Nepal to 89/8 in 19.4 overs, sealing a thrilling 2-wicket victory.
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