Rwanda Women and Nepal Women head into Match 7 of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 with different trajectories so far, but both firmly in contention. Rwanda currently sits at the top of the table, having won both their matches — a 41-run victory over Vanuatu followed by a thrilling 1-run win against the United States of America (USA), with their balanced performances placing them in a strong early position. In contrast, Nepal are placed third after a mixed start, having suffered a 44-run loss to USA before bouncing back with a commanding 50-run win over Italy.
Nepal’s campaign has been driven largely by their bowling unit, with players like Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Kunwar, and Manisha Upadhayay playing pivotal roles, particularly in their dominant win over Italy. Rwanda, meanwhile, have relied on key all-round contributions, with Gisele Ishimwe standing out with the bat and Henriette Ishimwe and Marie Bimenyimana delivering consistently with the ball. With Rwanda looking to maintain their position at the top and Nepal aiming to climb the 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:
Puja Mahato
Puja Mahato will be a key figure for Nepal in the middle order, especially after her composed 48 off 45 balls in the previous match, which helped stabilise the innings. Overall, she has featured in 48 T20Is, scoring 666 runs at an average of 19.02 and a strike rate of 84.62, with three half-centuries to her name. While not the most aggressive batter, her ability to anchor the innings and bat through difficult phases makes her crucial on a bowler-friendly surface like Kigali, where building partnerships is often more valuable than quick scoring.
Rubina Chhetry
Veteran allrounder Rubina Chhetry remains Nepal’s most impactful player, particularly with the ball. In the last match, she produced a sensational spell of 4 wickets for just 4 runs in 2.4 overs, breaking the back of the opposition. Across her T20I career, she has taken 55 wickets in 85 matches at an average of 17.85 and an economy of 4.43, including best figures of 4/2. With the bat, she has also contributed 1024 runs, including a century, highlighting her all-round value. Her experience and ability to strike early make her a major threat once again.
Gisele Ishimwe
Gisele Ishimwe has been Rwanda’s standout performer with the bat and currently leads the tournament run charts with 76 runs. She has already played a match-defining knock of 42 and continues to be the backbone of Rwanda’s batting lineup. In T20Is, she has scored 1785 runs in 106 matches at an average of 19.83 and a strike rate of 84.71, including one century and two fifties. Her ability to balance aggression with stability at the top will be vital, especially in conditions where runs are hard to come by. With the ball also, she remains an important asset for Rwanda. Though not always a wicket-taker, she bowls tight spells and builds pressure on the opposition.
Henriette Ishimwe
Henriette Ishimwe has been Rwanda’s most consistent bowling weapon, bringing both control and wicket-taking ability. She picked up 2/20 against USA and followed it up with 1/14 against Vanuatu, underlining her reliability. In her T20I career, she has claimed an impressive 149 wickets in 123 matches, averaging just 10.56 with an economy rate of 4.35, and best figures of 5/6. Her knack for breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure in the middle overs makes her a crucial player on a surface that already favours bowlers.
Pitch:
The surface at the Gahanga B Ground in Kigali has continued to underline its reputation as a bowler-friendly venue, with the Bermuda grass pitch offering consistent assistance to seamers. Even modest totals have proven competitive, largely because the pitch offers movement early on and maintains enough grip and discipline for bowlers to stay in the game throughout both innings. Notably, teams bowling second have also found success, with the surface not easing out, making run-chases tricky.
Weather:
The conditions in Kigali are expected to remain overcast with a strong chance of rain interruptions. Temperatures are likely to peak around 24°C during the day before dipping to about 16°C in the evening. Winds are expected to be light at approximately 8 km/h, meaning minimal impact on play, but the damp conditions and cloud cover could keep the pitch lively for bowlers throughout the match.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Gisele Ishimwe, Puja Mahato, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Indu Barma, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Henriette Ishimwe, Kabita Kunwar, Marie Bimenyimana, Manisha Upadhayay, Merveille Uwase
Match Details:
Date – April 22, 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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