The last and final 20th Match ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy will be played between Nepal and Italy Women at Gahanga B Ground. Both sides are tied for six points going into this match, making it a pivotal mid-table match. With a better Net Run Rate of -0.140 than Italy’s -1.017, Nepal Women are now in third position. The victor of this game will take a big step toward separating themselves from the pack and securing their place in the top half because both teams have similar records of three wins and three defeats from their six games.
After a strong victory in their last game, which ended a temporary two-game losing streak, Nepal enters this match with some fresh confidence. They have demonstrated their ability to be tough competitors, but in order to support a disciplined bowling unit, their batting needs to fire more consistently. Italy, who returned to the winner’s circle in their most recent game, is in a similar situation. They’ll be hoping for a tight, controlled effort tomorrow because their biggest obstacle has been the severe losses that have hurt their run rate.
Which middle order performs better under pressure in the middle overs will probably determine the result. Strike rotation will be crucial on a surface that may provide some grip because both teams have occasionally had trouble keeping the scoreboard ticking when boundaries dry up. Anticipate a tough, strategic match in which neither team will want to concede an inch because a loss here may put them in the danger zone of the bottom two.
Squads:
Italy Women
Emilia Bartram (C), Himanshi Daluwatta, Ishara Jayamannage (WK), Pasindi Kanankege, Alexia Kontopirakis, Chathurika Mahamalage, Sadalee Malwatta, Emma Moore, Dilaisha Nanayakkara, Kumudu Peddrick, Amaya Rajapaksha, Methnara Rathnayake (WK), Ilenia Sims, Sonia Toffoletto
Nepal Women
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 for :
Ilenia Sims
Ilenia has scored 125 runs in six outings, giving the Italian middle order security. In two of those innings, she did not get out, which raised her batting average to 31.25. Her best innings of the competition was a well-played, undefeated 61*, in which she made a substantial contribution to her total of 15 fours
Khadka Samjhana
Samjhana, who plays for Nepal, has scored precisely 100 runs in her six games and has been a proactive presence at the crease. She frequently tried to advance the game with her 15 boundaries, scoring at a rapid pace of 117.64. Her contributions were crucial to her team’s batting attempts, even though she just missed out on a half-century with a best score of 48
Chathurika Mahamalage
With eight wickets in her first six games, Chathurika has been Italy’s main strike bowler. With a 4/24, which is her career-best in this competition, she produced one of the best individual spells of the competition. Even though her economy rate was 6.27, her side benefited greatly from her capacity to break partnerships
Manisha Upadhyay
With nine wickets in six games, Manisha leads Nepal’s bowling statistics. He has been incredibly clinical. She has maintained a frugal economy rate of just 3.13 and an average of 8.00, making her extremely challenging to score off. She has continuously put pressure on the opposition, as evidenced by her three maiden overs and her haul of 3/10
Pitch Report:
The Gahanga B Ground in Kigali is known for its Bermuda Grass pitch, which provides a modern, professional surface typical of international standard venues. In the current ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy, 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 “Lord’s of East Africa” 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 Report:
Expect light rain tomorrow in Gihanga with a high of 25°C and a low of 20°C. There is a 55% chance of rain during the day and a 20% chance at night, with a light 3 mph northeast wind
Fantasy XI Report:
Emilia Bartram, Alexia Kontopirakis, Chathurika Mahamalage, Dilaisha Nanayakkara, Methnara Rathnayake, Ilenia Sims, Indu Barma, Puja Mahato, Samjhana Khadka, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay
Match Details:
Date: 1st May, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM
Venue: Gahanga B Ground, Rwanda
Broadcast: The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website