Botswana will host the third edition of the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament from April 6 to 11, 2026 in Gaborone.
In total, seven nations will compete: Botswana, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Brazil.
Notably, Sierra Leone Women enter as defending champions after beating Botswana in the 2025 final.
Furthermore, the tournament features 22 T20I matches across six days at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 and Oval 2.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Edition | 3rd Edition (Confirmed March 2026) |
| Host Association | Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) |
| Number of Teams | 7 Nations (Increased from 4 in 2025) |
| Participating Nations | Botswana, Brazil, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia |
| Tournament Format | Single round-robin (all teams play each other once) |
| Qualification | Top 2 teams on the points table advance to the Final |
| Final Match Date | April 11, 2026 |
| Match Status | Full Women’s T20I Status (Counts toward ICC rankings) |
| Key Milestone | Brazil Women’s first appearance in a tournament hosted by an ICC Africa Associate member |

Participating Teams in the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
| Team | Status | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana Women | Host | Runners-up in 2025 edition; strong home advantage |
| Sierra Leone Women | Defending Champions | Won the 2025 Kalahari tournament; experienced squad |
| Malawi Women | ICC Africa Member | Regular participant in African women’s cricket events |
| Zambia Women | ICC Africa Member | Growing presence in southern African cricket |
| Lesotho Women | ICC Africa Member | Competing in their first Kalahari tournament edition |
| Mozambique Women | ICC Africa Member | Featured in 2025 edition; improving side |
| Brazil Women | ICC Americas Member | First-ever appearance in an Africa-hosted tournament |
Interestingly, Brazil Women add an exciting cross-continental element to what has traditionally been an all-African event.
Similarly, Lesotho Women appear in the Kalahari tournament for what is believed to be their first time in 2026.
Complete Match Schedule: Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
Overall, the tournament runs across six days with four matches per day (except the final day, which features two matches).
Specifically, organisers schedule matches in two daily slots: the morning session at 1:00 PM IST (7:30 AM GMT / 9:30 AM Local) and the afternoon session at 5:30 PM IST (12:00 PM GMT / 2:00 PM Local).
Day 1 – Monday, April 6
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Leone W vs Brazil W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 2 | Lesotho W vs Malawi W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 3 | Botswana W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 4 | Zambia W vs Mozambique W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 2 – Tuesday, April 7
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Botswana W vs Sierra Leone W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 6 | Brazil W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 7 | Lesotho W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 8 | Sierra Leone W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 3 – Wednesday, April 8
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Botswana W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 10 | Brazil W vs Zambia W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 11 | Sierra Leone W vs Lesotho W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 12 | Mozambique W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 4 – Thursday, April 9
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Brazil W vs Lesotho W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 14 | Botswana W vs Zambia W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 15 | Malawi W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 16 | Sierra Leone W vs Mozambique W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 5 – Friday, April 10
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Brazil W vs Malawi W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 18 | Botswana W vs Lesotho W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 19 | Brazil W vs Botswana W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 20 | Sierra Leone W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 6 – Saturday, April 11
| # | Match | IST | GMT | Local | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Lesotho W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 22 | FINAL (TBC vs TBC) | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
Tournament Format And Rules
Essentially, the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 follows a straightforward format.
First, all seven teams face each other once in a single round-robin, producing 21 league-stage matches.
Then, the top two teams on the points table advance to the Final on April 11.
Therefore, every match matters because a single loss could mean the difference between making the final or going home.
Because two ovals operate simultaneously, the organisers pack four matches into most days, keeping the action relentless.
Venue Details: Botswana Cricket Association Grounds, Gaborone
Both the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 and Oval 2 in Gaborone will host all 22 matches of this tournament.
Over the years, these two adjacent grounds have become a reliable home for ICC Associate cricket events in Africa.

For instance, in July 2025, the BCA hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier here, featuring eight teams.
Likewise, the BCA organised the 2025 Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament at this venue with four teams.
Moreover, the grounds offer standard cricket facilities suitable for T20I cricket, with both ovals running matches at the same time.
Since April brings dry and sunny weather to Gaborone, conditions should remain ideal for consistent cricket throughout the tournament.
Where to Watch The Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Live
So far, organisers have not officially confirmed broadcast details for the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026.
However, based on how past editions received coverage, here are the likely options:
FanCode (India)
Previously, FanCode has streamed African associate cricket tournaments for Indian audiences.
Therefore, Indian fans should check the FanCode app closer to April 6 for streaming availability.
ICC.tv (Global)
Alternatively, ICC.tv may cover the tournament for fans in select regions, especially since every match carries full T20I status.
Fans can visit ICC.tv to check region-specific availability.
Botswana Cricket Association Social Media
In addition, the BCA may live-stream matches via their official social media channels, as is common for associate cricket events.
Since these are associate-level events, official broadcast confirmations typically arrive close to the tournament start.
Why the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament Matters
Without doubt, African women’s cricket has been growing steadily, and the Kalahari tournament is a perfect example of that momentum.
Remarkably, the tournament grew from four teams in 2025 to seven in 2026, almost doubling in size within a single year.
Besides the competition itself, every match earns ICC Women’s T20I ranking points, which helps associate nations enter World Cup qualification pathways.
Moreover, multi-team events like this give players from smaller nations regular competitive cricket that they rarely get otherwise.
For Brazil Women specifically, this tour represents a groundbreaking step in building cricket ties across continents.
Ultimately, tournaments like the Kalahari event are where the next generation of African and emerging women cricketers sharpen their skills.
In short, if the ICC wants cricket to become a truly global sport, grassroots events like this serve as the essential building blocks.
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Conclusion: Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
To sum up, the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 brings seven nations together for 22 T20Is across six days in Gaborone.
Defending champions Sierra Leone Women return with a target on their backs, while hosts Botswana will look to reclaim the title.
Meanwhile, Brazil Women add a fresh cross-continental flavour, making this the most competitive edition yet.
Indian fans can track the action on FanCode, while global viewers should check ICC.tv and BCA social media.
Finally, mark April 6 to 11, 2026 for some exciting African women’s T20I cricket from Botswana.