The Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 runs from March 20 to 28, 2026, at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in Lagos. Five teams compete in this edition: Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa U19, and Zimbabwe U19.
Also officially renamed the Patricia Kambarami Cup this year, the tournament features a round-robin league stage followed by semi-finals and a final. As a result, fans get 14 matches across nine days of women’s T20I cricket in Africa
Here is everything you need to know: full schedule, match timings in IST, teams, squads, and streaming details.
Tournament Overview & Key Details
The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) organises this event as a high-performance platform for emerging women cricketers across Africa. This is the fourth edition of the tournament, which started as a bilateral series and has now grown into a five-team competition
Furthermore, South Africa U19 and Zimbabwe U19 are participating for the first time, using this event as preparation for the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal next year.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 (Patricia Kambarami Cup) |
| Dates | March 20 to 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Format | T20I – Round-robin league + Semi-finals + 3rd Place Play-off + Final |
| Total Teams | 5 |
| Total Matches | 14 (10 league + 2 semi-finals + 3rd place + final) |
| Organised By | Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) |
| Previous Winners | Nigeria (2023), Tanzania (2024), Rwanda (2022) |
| Streaming (India) | FanCode |
Participating Teams in Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I 2026
Five teams compete this year. Notably, two U19 sides are facing senior national teams, which adds an exciting element to the competition.
| Team | Country | Captain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria Women | Nigeria | Piety Lucky | Senior |
| Ghana Women | Ghana | TBA | Senior |
| Rwanda Women | Rwanda | Marie Diane Bimenyimana | Senior |
| South Africa U19 Women | South Africa | TBA | U19 |
| Zimbabwe U19 Women | Zimbabwe | TBA | U19 |
Nigeria Women are the hosts and enter this tournament looking to reclaim the title after Tanzania beat them in 2024. Additionally, captain Piety Lucky brings experience from leading the U19 side to a historic World Cup appearance.
Rwanda Women are one of the strongest sides in African women’s cricket. Henriette Ishimwe has 144 wickets from 117 T20I matches at an average of just 10.30, making her one of the most dangerous all-rounders on the continent.
Meanwhile, South Africa U19 are using this event as a preparation camp for next year’s ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. Despite their age, several players impressed during a recent tri-series against Zimbabwe U19 in South Africa.
Full Schedule: Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I 2026
Below is the complete match schedule with Indian Standard Time (IST) and West Africa Time (WAT) for every fixture. All matches are played at the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos.
League Stage Matches (March 20 to 25)
| # | Date | Match | Time (WAT) | Time (IST) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 20 | Rwanda Women vs Ghana Women | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM | Rwanda won by 122 runs |
| 2 | Mar 20 | Nigeria Women vs Zimbabwe U19 Women | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM | Nigeria won by 8 wkts |
| 3 | Mar 21 | Ghana Women vs South Africa U19 Women | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM | South Africa U19 won by 99 runs |
| 4 | Mar 21 | Rwanda Women vs Zimbabwe U19 Women | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM | Rwanda won by 60 runs |
| 5 | Mar 22 | Nigeria Women vs Ghana Women | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM | Nigeria won by 136 runs |
| 6 | Mar 22 | Rwanda Women vs South Africa U19 Women | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM | Rwanda won by 4 runs |
| 7 | Mar 24 | South Africa U19 vs Zimbabwe U19 Women | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM | – |
| 8 | Mar 24 | Nigeria Women vs Rwanda Women | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM | – |
| 9 | Mar 25 | Nigeria Women vs South Africa U19 Women | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM | – |
| 10 | Mar 25 | Ghana Women vs Zimbabwe U19 Women | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM | – |
Note that March 23 is a rest day. As a result, the tournament resumes on March 24 with the final group stage matches.
Knockout Matches (March 27 to 28)
After the league stage, the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals. The semi-final winners advance to the final, while the losers play the 3rd place play-off.
| # | Date | Match | Time (WAT) | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF 1 | Mar 27 | Semi-Final 1 (TBA vs TBA) | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
| SF 2 | Mar 27 | Semi-Final 2 (TBA vs TBA) | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| 3rd | Mar 28 | 3rd Place Play-off (TBA vs TBA) | 10:00 AM | 2:30 PM |
| F | Mar 28 | FINAL (TBA vs TBA) | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
Team Squads for Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I 2026
Here are the confirmed squads for all five teams, as announced before the tournament.
Nigeria Women
Captain: Piety Lucky
Squad: Anointed Akhigbe, Christabel Chukwuonye, Esther Sandy, Favour Effiong, Henrietta Mbam, Kehinde Amusa, Lilian Ude, Peace Usen, Piety Lucky (c), Queen Joseph, Salome Sunday, Sarah Etim, Shola Adekunle, Victory Igbinedion, Omosigho Eguakun
Rwanda Women
Captain: Marie Diane Bimenyimana
Squad: Alice Ikuzwe, Belise Murekatete, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Flora Irakoze, Geovanis Uwase, Rosette Shimwamana, Rosine Irera, Sylivie Usabyimana, Clarisse Umutoniwase, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette T. Ishimwe, Marie Diane Bimenyimana (c), Merveille Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza
Ghana Women
Squad: Abigail Amuzu, Elizabeth Annor, Ellen Asante, Ernestina Sagoe, Esther Bakiweyem, Grace Essoun, Grace Quaicoe, Ivy Yeboah, Jacqueline Kokam, Joycelyn Ahama, Kate Awuah, Miriam Eshun, Rashidatu Salia, Rebecca Adotei
South Africa U19 Women
Squad: Ashley Barnard, Daneli Boshoff, Jeze Campher, Jae-Leigh Filander, Bruzaan Goosen, Miya Lalor, Siphokuhle Masilela, Ziya Mohanlall, Kananelo Mokoena, Shelfa Mukhari, Rethabile Nthoba, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter, Cayleigh Wanckel
Zimbabwe U19 Women
Squad confirmed by Zimbabwe Cricket. Full player names were announced closer to the tournament start.
Venue: Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval, Lagos
All 14 matches of this tournament take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Cricket Oval in Lagos, Nigeria. The ground has a modern ten-strip turf wicket that replaced the old concrete surface in recent years.
According to FemaleCricket, the pitch offers decent carry for seam bowlers early on. However, it typically dries out as the match goes on, which favours spinners who can use the natural wear and grip.
Additionally, the TBS Cricket Oval is the same venue that has hosted previous editions of this tournament and several domestic Nigerian cricket events. It has become a key venue for developing cricket infrastructure in West Africa.
How to Watch Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I 2026 in India
For Indian viewers, FanCode is the go-to platform for live streaming of this tournament. The app and website both provide ball-by-ball coverage.
In addition, ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz will provide live scorecard updates throughout the event. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Cricket Federation’s official social media handles will share highlights and updates.
There is no confirmed TV broadcast for this tournament in India. Therefore, FanCode remains the only streaming option for Indian fans.
Key Players to Watch
Here are some Key Players:
Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda Women)
With 144 wickets from 117 T20I matches at an average of 10.30 and a best of 5/6, Henriette Ishimwe is the most dangerous player in this tournament. On top of that, she has scored over 1,287 runs with the bat. She is a true match-winner in every sense.
Gisele Ishimwe (Rwanda Women)
Gisele Ishimwe has played 87 WT20I matches and scored 1,683 career runs, including an unbeaten 114 against Eswatini. Her career average of 20.03 and sharp fielding (25 catches, 19 run-outs) make her one of the best batters in African women’s cricket.
Piety Lucky (Nigeria Women)
The newly appointed Nigeria captain previously led the U19 side to a historic World Cup appearance. Her all-round skills with bat and ball will be crucial for the hosts as they look to reclaim the title on home soil.
Mieke van Voorst (South Africa U19 Women)
A returning player from the SA U19 setup, van Voorst impressed during the recent tri-series in Chatsworth. She represents the quality of young talent South Africa continues to produce.
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Conclusion: Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
The Nigeria Invitational Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 is a growing showcase for African women’s cricket. With five teams, 14 matches, and the added excitement of two U19 sides competing against senior teams, this edition promises competitive and entertaining T20I action.
For Indian fans, FanCode is where you catch the action live. Bookmark this page for schedule updates, results, and points table changes as the tournament unfolds from March 20 to 28.
