The hosts, Botswana, have had a mixed bag so far, winning one and losing one in the ongoing Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026. They showed great character to bounce back from their initial setback, and their NRR of +1.950 keeps them well in the mix for the top spots. Zambia enters this match potentially fatigued, as this will be a crucial test of their squad depth and mental toughness. Having struggled in their opening game, they need to find a spark quickly to avoid falling too far behind the pack.
Squads:
Botswana Women’s Cricket Team
Aliya Motorwala, Goabilwe Matome, Oratile Kgeresi, Pako Mapotsane, Tlhalefo B Godisamanga, Amantle Mokgotlhe, Merapelo Phiase, Onneile Keitsemang, Tuelo Shadrack, Wendy Moutswi, Laura Mophakedi, Goitseone Setshwane, Kesego Inakale, Maatla Sefati
Zambia Women’s Cricket Team
Abigail Kayuni, Esther Mata, Esther Mulenga, Filo Chenda, Josephine Chisoba, Majory Kasongo, Mercy Ngulube, Mutale Kachingo, Nancy Chisuba, Patience Chabuta, Peggy Munsanda, Racheka Simuu, Rosemary Chanda, Tamara Banda, Vivian Mwansa
Players to watch out:
Filo Chenda
Chenda had a brief but active stint in the middle during her first match of the 2026 campaign. Scoring 1 run from 7 balls, she looked to get her eye in against a disciplined bowling attack. While it was a modest start to the tournament, getting time in the middle and feeling the pace of the pitch is a key first step, and she will likely look to build on this foundation to find her timing and expand her scoring range in the next fixture.
Mercy Nguni
Mercy Nguni has made an immediate impact with the ball, establishing herself as a reliable wicket-taking option early in the 2026 season. In her opening appearance, she maintained a disciplined line across 3 overs, conceding 19 runs while successfully breaking through the opposition’s lineup to claim her first wicket. With an economy rate of 6.33 and a bowling average of 19.00, she is proving to be a steady hand for her side, showing the composure needed to handle pressure during the middle overs.
Laura Mophakedi
Laura Mophakedi has acted as a pillar for Botswana’s batting lineup, currently sitting in the top three run-scorers with 68 runs at a solid average of 34.00. Her highlight so far was a composed half-century where she struck seven 4s, demonstrating her ability to accelerate when the situation demands it. Her consistency at the top of the order has provided her team with the platforms they need to set competitive totals.
Wendy Moutswi
Wendy Moutswi has played a very balanced role for Botswana, contributing across both departments to keep her team competitive. While she has added 25 runs with the bat, her bowling has been particularly effective, where she has sent down four overs and picked up 2 wickets. Her versatility as a genuine all-rounder allows the team to be flexible with their tactics, knowing she can contribute regardless of the match situation.
Pitch:
While it shares the same foundational soil as its neighbor, Oval 2 is often the more temperamental and spin-friendly of the two. It typically plays slightly slower and lower than Oval 1, which allows spinners to find genuine grip and turn as the match progresses. The dry, dusty patches that develop around the popping crease make middle-over accumulation a tactical challenge.
Weather:
Expect a pleasant day in Gaborone with partly sunny skies and a high of 24°C. There is a minor 25% chance of rain during the day, accompanied by a northeast wind at 13 mph. As the evening sets in, the temperature will drop to a low of 15°C under partly cloudy conditions.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Goabilwe Matome, Tuelo Shadrack, Wendy Moutswi, Laura Mophakedi, Kesego Inakale, Maatla Sefati, Esther Mulenga, Filo Chenda, Josephine Chisoba, Mercy Ngulube, Rosemary Chanda
Match Details:
Date – April 8, 2026
Time – 5:00 PM IST
Venue – Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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