Vanuatu claimed their first win of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 with a superb 22-run victory over Nepal in Match 9 at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium in Kigali, defending a modest total through a disciplined and clinical bowling performance.
Coming into the contest without a win, Vanuatu needed a strong display to revive their campaign, and they delivered under pressure. On a surface that has consistently assisted bowlers throughout the tournament, they overcame batting challenges before producing one of the best all-round bowling efforts of the competition to bowl Nepal out for 75 in 15.3 overs.
Batting first, Vanuatu found scoring difficult from the outset as Nepal’s bowlers maintained tight lines and extracted movement from the surface. Captain Rachel Andrew was dismissed for 6, but opener Valenta Langiatu remained composed and held the innings together.
Langiatu played the anchor role brilliantly, scoring 42 off 50 balls with two fours and two sixes. She rotated strike when boundaries were hard to find and ensured Vanuatu had stability through the middle overs. Her partnership with Nasimana Navaika proved especially valuable, with the latter adding 18 off 26 deliveries in a patient stand that took the side past the halfway mark.
Susan Stephen then chipped in with a handy 10 from 9 balls late in the innings, while Selina Solman remained unbeaten on 10 off 18 deliveries. Gillian Chilia added a boundary in the closing overs to finish unbeaten on 4 off 3 balls, helping Vanuatu reach 97/5 in their 20 overs.
Nepal’s bowlers had earlier done their job well. Riya Sharma was excellent, finishing with 2/11 from four overs, while Manisha Upadhayay returned 1/14 and Kabita Kunwar conceded only 15 runs in her four-over spell while taking a wicket. With the target under 100, Nepal would have fancied their chances. Instead, the chase unravelled quickly.
Bindu Rawal was bowled by Selina Solman for 1 with only three runs on the board, and Puja Mahato, who had impressed earlier in the tournament, was trapped lbw by Vanessa Vira for just 1. Nepal were immediately on the back foot at 11/2. Samjhana Khadka briefly countered the pressure with an aggressive 24 off 19 balls, striking four boundaries, but wickets kept falling around her. Captain Indu Barma struck a brisk 13 off 9 balls, including three boundaries, before falling to Nasimana Navaika.
Once Khadka departed at 53/5 in the 10th over, Nepal’s resistance weakened significantly. Kabita Kunwar scored 10 from 17 balls, but Roma Thapa (5), Rubina Chhetry (1), Rachana Chaudhary (0), and Manisha Upadhayay (1) could not prevent the collapse. Nepal lost their final five wickets for just 22 runs and were bowled out for 75.
Vanuatu’s bowling unit was outstanding from start to finish. Vanessa Vira starred with 3/11 in 3.3 overs, removing two lower-order batters and sealing the win. Selina Solman’s 2/11 in three overs set the tone early, while Navaika completed a fine all-round display with 3/17 from four overs after her useful contribution with the bat. Rachel Andrew also chipped in with a wicket.
Navaika was deservedly named Player of the Match for her 18 runs and three-wicket spell. The victory gives Vanuatu renewed confidence heading into the latter stages of the tournament, even if they remain bottom of the standings for now. Nepal, meanwhile, stay in the top three but will need a swift turnaround after another batting collapse damaged both their momentum and net run rate.
