Exciting cricket action is returning to Rwanda as the national women’s team gets ready to face the Zimbabwe High Performance XI. This highly anticipated match will kick off the annual Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
Squads:
Rwanda Women’s Cricket Team
Diane Bimenyimana, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Clarisse Umutoniwase, Merveille Uwase, Belyse Murekatete, Rosine Irera, Ruth Uwimana, Alice Ikuzwe, Geovanis Uwase, Georgette, Ingabire, Flora Irakoze, Grace Umugwaneza
Zimbabwe High-Performance XI Women’s Cricket Team
Adel Zimunu, Vimbai Mutungwindu, Passionate Munorwei, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Kelly Ndiraya, Betty Mangachena, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Olinder Chare, Michelle Mavunga, Kudzai Chigora, Salem Museka, Nyasha Gwanzura, Lindrose Masina
Players to watch out:
Fanny Utagushimaninde
She is the newest sensation in global cricket and the future of Rwanda’s top-order batting. She plays with an incredibly fearless style that perfectly fits the coach’s new aggressive strategy. Earlier this year in March, at just 15 years old, she shocked the cricket world by scoring a brilliant 111 not out off 65 balls against Ghana on her international debut. This incredible performance made her the youngest player in cricket history to score a century on T20I debut.
Henriette Ishimwe
She is arguably Rwanda’s most impactful cricketer and a proven match-winner. As a highly talented all-rounder, she carries the team with both bat and ball. She has played 128 T20 International matches for Rwanda. She is the team’s leading wicket-taker with 155 wickets to her name and has added 1378 runs to the tally. She is also incredibly dangerous with the bat in the middle order, making her the ultimate x-factor player.
Pitch:
The pitch at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium is expected to offer plenty of assistance to the bowlers. With pacers traditionally dominating on this surface, the toss will be crucial, as teams batting first generally hold the upper hand under these conditions.
Weather:
There will be light rain during the day, and it will be partly cloudy at night, with a high temperature of 27°C and a low of 17°C.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Fanny Utagushimaninde, Rosine Irera, Alice Ikuzwe, Adel Zimunu, Kelly Ndiraya, Merveille Uwase, Belyse Murekatete, Passionate Munorwei, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Lorraine Pemhiwa
Match Details:
Date – June 10, 2026
Time – 1:00 PM IST
Venue – Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Rwanda
Broadcast – FanCode app and website
Loves all things female cricket