The ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 runs from 18 April to 1 May 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, featuring five Associate nations across 20 T20I fixtures.
This is the inaugural edition of the event, replacing the old ICC Women’s Qualifier pathway and giving Associate teams a dedicated global stage.
The tournament uses a double round-robin format, where each team plays every other side twice. Full T20I status applies to all matches.
ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026: Tournament Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 |
| Edition | Inaugural Edition |
| Format | Double Round-Robin |
| Match Status | Full T20 International (T20I) |
| Start Date | 18 April 2026 |
| End Date | 1 May 2026 |
| Host Country | Rwanda |
| Host City | Kigali |
| Total Matches | 20 T20Is |
| Teams | 5 Teams |
| Matches Per Team | 8 Matches (Each team plays others twice) |
ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026: Full Match Schedule
Play starts each day at 12:30 PM IST (9:00 AM local / 7:00 GMT) and 4:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local / 11:00 GMT).
| Match No | Date | Team | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Apr 18 | Italy W vs Rwanda W | Gahanga International Stadium | 12:30 PM |
| 2 | Sat, Apr 18 | Nepal W vs USA W | Gahanga International Stadium | 4:30 PM |
| 3 | Sun, Apr 19 | Rwanda W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga B Ground | 12:30 PM |
| 4 | Sun, Apr 19 | Italy W vs Nepal W | Gahanga B Ground | 4:30 PM |
| 5 | Tue, Apr 21 | Rwanda W vs USA W | Gahanga International Stadium | 12:30 PM |
| 6 | Tue, Apr 21 | Vanuatu W vs Italy W | Gahanga International Stadium | 4:30 PM |
| 7 | Wed, Apr 22 | Rwanda W vs Nepal W | Gahanga B Ground | 12:30 PM |
| 8 | Wed, Apr 22 | USA W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga B Ground | 4:30 PM |
| 9 | Fri, Apr 24 | Nepal W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga International Stadium | 12:30 PM |
| 10 | Fri, Apr 24 | Italy W vs USA W | Gahanga International Stadium | 4:30 PM |
| 11 | Sun, Apr 26 | Rwanda W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga B Ground | 12:30 PM |
| 12 | Sun, Apr 26 | USA W vs Nepal W | Gahanga B Ground | 4:30 PM |
| 13 | Mon, Apr 27 | Rwanda W vs Italy W | Gahanga International Stadium | 12:30 PM |
| 14 | Mon, Apr 27 | USA W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga International Stadium | 4:30 PM |
| 15 | Tue, Apr 28 | Rwanda W vs Nepal W | Gahanga B Ground | 12:30 PM |
| 16 | Tue, Apr 28 | Italy W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga B Ground | 4:30 PM |
| 17 | Thu, Apr 30 | Italy W vs USA W | Gahanga International Stadium | 12:30 PM |
| 18 | Thu, Apr 30 | Nepal W vs Vanuatu W | Gahanga International Stadium | 4:30 PM |
| 19 | Fri, May 1 | Rwanda W vs USA W | Gahanga B Ground | 12:30 PM |
| 20 | Fri, May 1 | Italy W vs Nepal W | Gahanga B Ground | 4:30 PM |
ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 Teams
A quick overview of all participating teams and their background heading into the inaugural edition of the tournament.
Rwanda Women (Hosts)
Home side and Africa region representatives. Captained by a young core, Rwanda earned hosting rights after strong showings in the ICC Africa qualifiers.
Italy Women
Representing the Europe region, Italy field a squad built around Sri Lankan-origin players. Captain Emilia Bartram leads a disciplined batting unit.
Nepal Women
Asia’s Associate flagbearers. Captain Indu Barma commands an experienced squad that topped the ACC Women’s Premier Cup pathway to reach this event.
USA Women
Rising side from the Americas region. The squad blends US-born talent with players of Indian origin, led by a batting-heavy top order and a tight bowling attack.
Vanuatu Women
From the East Asia-Pacific region and one of the form teams of the qualifying cycle. Captain Rachel Andrew heads an all-rounder-heavy unit with ten bat-bowl options.
ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026: Squads & Players
A complete look at all team squads along with key players who could make a big impact in the tournament.
Rwanda Women Squad
- Batters: Henriette Ishimwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Clarisse Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Cathia Uwamahoro, Marie Tumukunde
- All-rounders: Marie Bimenyimana, Rosette Shimwamana, Alice Ikuzwe, Belise Murekatete
- Wicketkeepers: Merveille Uwase, Flora Irakoze, Georgette Ingabire, Fanny Utagushimaninde
- Bowlers: Rosine Irera
- Others: Liliane Ufitinema
Player to watch: Henriette Ishimwe, Rwanda’s top-order anchor and a reliable run-scorer on home soil.
Italy Women Squad
- Batters: Kumudu Peddrick, Dilaisha Nanayakkara, Sadalee Malwatta, Methnara Rathnayake, Sonia Toffoletto, Emilia Bartram (C)
- All-rounders: Alexia Kontopirakis
- Wicketkeeper: Ishara Jayamannage
- Bowlers: Thilini Fernando, Pasindi Kanankege, Amaya Rajapaksha
- Others: Ilenia Sims, Himanshi Daluwatta, Emma Moore
Player to watch: Emilia Bartram, the captain and top-order linchpin who holds the side together.
Nepal Women Squad
- Batters: Indu Barma (C), Bindu Rawal, Roma Thapa, Samjhana Khadka, Puja Mahato
- All-rounders: Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Kunwar, Kabita Joshi, Somu Bist, Rachana Chaudhary
- Wicketkeeper: Rubi Poddar
- Bowlers: Manisha Upadhayay, Anu Kadayat, Riya Sharma
Player to watch: Indu Barma, skipper and Nepal’s most capped T20I batter, with multiple match-winning knocks.
USA Women Squad
- Batters: Gargi Bhogle, Taranum Chopra, Jivana Aras, Chetna Pagydyala, Nikhar Doshi, Ritu Priya Singh
- All-rounders: Isani Vaghela, Aditiba Chudasama, Lekha Shetty, Sainavi Kambalapalli
- Wicketkeepers: Pooja Ganesh, Aparna Gurumurthy
- Bowlers: Suhani Thadani, Maahi Madhavan
Player to watch: Gargi Bhogle, a powerful top-order bat who sets the tone in the powerplay.
Vanuatu Women Squad
- Batters: Alvina Chilia, Rayline Ova, Vanessa Vira
- All-rounders: Rachel Andrew (C), Valenta Langiatu, Gillian Chilia, Melissa Fare, Nasimana Navaika, Selina Solman, Susan Stephen, Anna Griffin
- Wicketkeeper: Mahina Tarimiala
- Bowlers: Vicky Mansale, Natalia Kakor
Player to watch: Rachel Andrew, captain and genuine all-rounder who can swing games with both bat and ball.
ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026: Where to Watch
Coverage is digital-first. Indian fans can stream every match live on FanCode. Global viewers get free access via ICC.tv.
| Region | Platform / Broadcaster | Format |
|---|---|---|
| India | FanCode (app & website) | Exclusive digital streaming |
| Global (select) | ICC.tv | Free live streaming |
| Bangladesh | FanCode | Live streaming |
TV broadcast: No linear TV deal has been announced for India. Check the ICC official site for the latest updates on regional broadcasters.
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Conclusion: ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 Runs From 18 April to 1 May
The ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy 2026 gives Associate nations their biggest stage yet. Expect tight contests, breakout stars, and raw, high-stakes cricket in Kigali.
Rwanda will chase home advantage, Nepal and Italy bring recent form, and Vanuatu and USA arrive with nothing to lose. Every match carries real T20I ranking points.
For Indian fans, free-to-stream access on FanCode means you can follow every fixture. Bookmark this schedule and catch the action live from 18 April.
