As the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 moves into its final stages, Rwanda finds itself in a strong position, currently sitting second on the points table with three wins from five matches and six points to their name. Nepal, meanwhile, is hovering in the middle of the pack in third place, having secured two wins and four points. While Rwanda looks relatively comfortable, Nepal is under pressure to improve their negative net run rate of -0.573, making this clash a high stakes encounter for both sides as they look to solidify their standings.
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
Nepal Women’s Cricket Team
Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato (VC), Suman Bist, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Rubi Poddar (WK), Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay
Players to watch out:
Merville Uwase
Merville has been a vital spark in Rwanda’s batting lineup throughout this tournament, consistently finding ways to keep the scoreboard moving. Across her 5 innings, she has accumulated 97 runs at an impressive strike rate of 121.25, the highest among the top run-scorers. Her standout performance was a well-crafted 60, proving she has the temperament to anchor an innings while maintaining the aggression needed in the T20 format.
Samjhana Khadka
Samjhana has anchored the Nepalese batting with grit, finishing the group stages with 94 runs from her 5 appearances. While she fell just short of a half-century with a high score of 48, her strike rate of 120.51 indicates her ability to take the game to the opposition. Despite one duck in the tournament, her ability to find the boundary—hitting 14 fours so far—makes her the primary threat in Nepal’s top order.
Henriette Ishimwe
Henriette continues to be a reliable bowling option for Rwanda, providing crucial breakthroughs when the team needs them most. In her 5 matches, she has claimed 5 wickets with a best bowling figure of 2/18, maintaining a steady economy rate of 5.00. Her control in the middle overs has been essential in keeping opposition scores manageable, making her a key tactical asset for the host nation.
Manisha Upadhyay
Manisha has been the standout performer in Nepal’s bowling department, consistently troubling batters with her accuracy. She has picked up 6 wickets in 5 innings, highlighted by a disciplined spell of 2/18 and an excellent economy rate of 3.26. By bowling 2 maiden overs—a rare feat in this format—she has proven to be one of the most difficult bowlers to score against in the competition.
Pitch:
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. While the main ground is famous for its architecture, the B Ground offers a competitive environment where the average first-innings score often hovers around 103, rewarding disciplined line and length.
Weather:
Expect a high of 22°C and a low of 16°C, with heavy thunderstorms during the day (60% chance of rain) transitioning to light rain at night.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Marie Bimenyimana, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Merveille Uwase, Indu Barma, Puja Mahato, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay
Match Details:
Date – April 28, 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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