Nepal Women produced a composed and clinical performance to outclass Rwanda Women in this ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026, stitching together key partnerships and backing it up with disciplined bowling to secure a convincing 38-run victory. The game unfolded as a story of steady rebuilding, timely acceleration, and relentless pressure with the ball.
The Nepal innings did not begin with complete fluency, as early wickets slowed their momentum. Samjhana Khadka looked to get things going but fell for 6 off 7 balls, leaving Nepal at 1/8. Bindu Rawal struggled to find rhythm and was trapped lbw for 2, further denting the start at 2/10. The top order wobbled when Rubi Poddar also departed cheaply for 6, making it 3/23. At that stage, Rwanda’s bowlers, especially Henriette Ishimwe and Marie Bimenyimana, were keeping things tight and striking at crucial intervals.
The innings began to stabilize when skipper Indu Barma took control. Anchoring the innings with a calm 33* off 45 balls, she ensured Nepal didn’t lose its way completely. Alongside her, Kabita Kunwar added a valuable 24 from 26 deliveries, and their partnership helped rebuild after the early setbacks. Though Kabita fell at 5/69, the platform had been set for a late push.
Rubina Chhetry then played a crucial hand, scoring 11 off 12 balls, rotating strike effectively and keeping the scoreboard ticking. At the other end, Rachana Chaudhary provided finishing support with a steady unbeaten 1, while Barma held the innings together. Nepal eventually reached 103/7 in their 20 overs, a total built more on resilience than aggression. Extras also played a part, contributing 15 runs. For Rwanda, Henriette Ishimwe (3/20) was the standout bowler, while Marie Bimenyimana (2/17) and Rosine Irera (1/16) ensured Nepal never fully broke free.
Chasing 104, Rwanda Women found themselves under pressure almost immediately. Fanny Utagashimnide managed just 2 runs before falling, and Giselle Ishimwe followed for a duck, leaving Rwanda at 2/2. Alice Ikuze attempted to rebuild with a patient 7 off 27 balls, but the lack of scoring intent added pressure. The innings briefly found some direction when captain Marie Bimenyimana scored 19 off 27 balls, forming a modest partnership with Merveille Uwase, who contributed 6.
However, Nepal’s bowlers kept chipping away at regular intervals. Manisha Upadhayay led from the front with an outstanding spell of 3/10 in her 4 overs, dismantling the middle order. Kabita Kunwar supported well with 2/17, while Puja Mahato and Riya Sharma also picked up 2 wickets each, ensuring Rwanda never found any momentum.
As wickets kept falling, collapsing from 4/38 to 7/44, the chase slipped further out of reach. Some late resistance came from Geovais Uwase, who scored a brisk 12 off 7 balls, and Flora Irakoze added 8, but it was too little, too late. Rwanda were eventually bowled out for 65 in 17.4 overs.
This match highlighted Nepal Women’s all-round discipline, with crucial middle-order partnerships and a well-rounded bowling attack proving decisive.
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