The inaugural ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 gets underway on April 18 at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together five emerging sides in a double round-robin competition. The tournament will run until May 1 across two adjacent venues.
Hosted by Rwanda, the event features USA, Italy, Nepal, and Vanuatu—teams that earned qualification through their respective regional Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in 2025. The competition provides a valuable platform for Associate nations as women’s cricket continues to expand globally.
Nepal and USA enter the tournament as strong contenders, with Nepal currently ranked 21st in the ICC standings following an impressive showing at the recent Global Qualifier. Vanuatu, meanwhile, arrive with momentum after defeating 20th-ranked Indonesia, adding further intrigue to the contest.
Squads
Italy
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
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
Rwanda
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
United States of America
Aditiba Chudasama (C), Gargi Bhogle, Taranum Chopra, Nikhar Doshi, Pooja Ganesh (wk), Aparna Gurumurthy, Sainavi Kambalapalli, Maahi Madhavan, Chetna Pagydyala, Chetnaa Prasad, Lekha Shetty, Ritu Singh, Suhani Thadani, Isani Vaghela
Tournament Schedule
April 18
9:00am – Rwanda vs Italy (Main Oval)
1:00pm – Nepal vs USA (Main Oval)
April 19
9:00am – Rwanda vs Vanuatu (Oval B)
1:00pm – Italy vs Nepal (Oval B)
April 21
9:00am – Rwanda vs USA (Main Oval)
1:00pm – Vanuatu vs Italy (Main Oval)
April 22
9:00am – Rwanda vs Nepal (Oval B)
1:00pm – USA vs Vanuatu (Oval B)
April 24
9:00am – Nepal vs Vanuatu (Main Oval)
1:00pm – Italy vs USA (Main Oval)
April 26
9:00am – Rwanda vs Vanuatu (Oval B)
1:00pm – USA vs Nepal (Oval B)
April 27
9:00am – Rwanda vs Italy (Main Oval)
1:00pm – USA vs Vanuatu (Main Oval)
April 28
9:00am – Rwanda vs Nepal (Oval B)
1:00pm – Italy vs Vanuatu (Oval B)
April 30
9:00am – Italy vs USA (Main Oval)
1:00pm – Nepal vs Vanuatu (Main Oval)
May 1
9:00am – Rwanda vs USA (Oval B)
1:00pm – Italy vs Nepal (Oval B)
Format and Significance
The competition follows a double round format, ensuring each team faces the others twice. With no knockout stage, consistency across fixtures will be crucial in determining the eventual winner.
As the first edition of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy, the tournament offers a high-quality competitive environment, strengthening pathways and providing exposure at the international level.
