Match 11 of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium on April 26 was an absolute spectacle. What looked like a comfortable Rwanda win turned into an absolute nail-biter and in the end, it remained the hosts Rwanda who scraped through by just 3 runs, finishing 133/5 before Vanuatu fell agonisingly short at 130/3.
Rwanda elected to bat first and found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets inside the first seven overs for just 27 on the board as opener Gisele Ishimwe fell for just 2, followed quickly by Fanny Utagushimaninde for 17.
However, Alice Ikuzwe steadied the innings brilliantly, putting together a composed run-a-ball 35 before she was eventually dismissed, bringing the score to 101/3 in the 15th over, putting Rwanda on the driver’s seat. On the other hand, Marveille Uwase took charge, she produced the innings of the match, smashing 60 off just 43 balls with 7 fours.
Keeper-batter Uwase was dismissed in the penultimate over for 60, lifting the score to 132/5, and Clarisse Uwase’s timely cameo, a brisk 10 off 6, saw Rwanda post a challenging 133/5. Vanuatu’s disciplined bowling effort was led by Selina Solman (2/20) and Nasimana Navaika (2/31) each, while Susan Stephen chipped in with one.
While Vanuatu’s reply saw her face an early setback in Susan Stephen falling for 11, fellow opener Valenta Langiatu was nothing short of outstanding, finishing unbeaten on 71 off 63 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes, almost single-handedly dragging her side to victory.
After Stephen’s dismissal, captain Rachel Andrew provided her solid support at the top, hitting 23 off 35, a patient knock that kept the chase alive, but the required rate crept up, as she walked back with 84 on the board in the 14th over. Selina Solman’s 7 off 7 balls didn’t help much and while Langiatu held an end firm, her side fell short.
9 runs off the penultimate over, 10 off the final, but the one boundary that would have sealed the win didn’t come for Vanuatu. A whopping 17 extras, including 14 wides, from the Rwanda bowlers gifted Vanuatu a lifeline, and it very nearly was enough.
Rosine Uwera was the pick of the Rwanda bowlers with 1/17 from 3 overs, while Giovannis Uwase took the crucial wicket of Rachel Andrew for 25 runs from 4 overs. The win saw Rwanda occupies the 2nd place on the table, while Vanuatu remained at the bottom, denied a 2nd win in a thriller.
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