Nepal Women held their composure in a tense, low-scoring encounter to defeat Rwanda Women by 2 wickets in Match 7 of the ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 in Kigali. In a game where bowlers dictated the tempo and runs were hard to come by, Samjhana Khadka’s measured innings proved decisive in the end.
Rwanda struggled to build momentum after being put under pressure early in their innings. Openers Fanny Utagushimaninde and Gisele Ishimwe found it difficult to settle, as Nepal’s bowlers struck quickly to reduce them to 4/1 in 1.3 overs and then 6/2 by 2.4 overs. Utagushimaninde managed just 2 from 8 balls, while Ishimwe was dismissed for 1, with Manisha Upadhayay and Kabita Kunwar maintaining tight control.
Alice Ikuzwe and Merveille Uwase attempted to steady the innings with a 28-run stand for the third wicket. Ikuzwe contributed 17 off 31 deliveries, while Uwase added 15 from 20 balls. However, just as Rwanda began to rebuild at 34/3 in 9.2 overs, Rachana Chaudhary broke the partnership. A collapse followed, as Rwanda slipped quickly from 41/4 to 50/7. Henriette Ishimwe was dismissed without scoring, and captain Marie Bimenyimana could only manage 2 runs.
Clarisse Uwase (13 off 20) and Geovianis Uwase (8 off 10) provided some resistance with a 25-run partnership, taking the total to 74/8 in the 17th over. Rosine Irera added late runs with 12 off 13 balls, including two boundaries, but Rwanda were eventually bowled out for 88 in 19.4 overs.
Nepal Bowlers Keep Rwanda in Check
Nepal’s bowling attack worked collectively to restrict the opposition, with Rachana Chaudhary leading the effort with three wickets in her three overs. Kabita Kunwar and Puja Mahato claimed two wickets each, while Manisha Upadhayay and Riya Sharma chipped in with one apiece. Their disciplined approach ensured Rwanda never accelerated, finishing with a run rate of 4.47.
Khadka Anchors the Chase
Chasing 89, Nepal also found scoring difficult in the early stages. Bindu Rawal and Samjhana Khadka started cautiously, but Rawal was dismissed for 10 off 21 balls at 51/1 in 8.5 overs, ending the opening stand. Khadka remained at the crease and played a steady anchoring role, scoring 48 from 42 balls with seven boundaries to keep Nepal in contention.
Puja Mahato supported her with 13 off 20 balls, as the pair added 23 runs for the second wicket to take Nepal to 74/2 in 12.4 overs. However, Rwanda’s bowlers fought back strongly. Geovianis Uwase sparked a collapse with key wickets, while Gisele Ishimwe produced a remarkable spell of 2 wickets for just 1 run in her two overs.
From a comfortable 74/2, Nepal slipped to 86/8 by the 19th over, with Indu Barma, Kabita Kunwar, Kabita Joshi, Rubina Chhetry, and Rubi Poddar all dismissed cheaply. Henriette Ishimwe also picked up two wickets, tightening the contest further.
With only a handful of runs required and pressure mounting, Rachana Chaudhary (3* off 9) held her nerve alongside Riya Sharma to guide Nepal to 89/8 in 19.4 overs, completing a hard-fought 2-wicket victory.
