The national cricket teams, both in the men’s and women’s categories, are gearing up for a busy period, with the women’s side set to compete in the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Botswana, while the men’s team prepares to host the inaugural Tri-Nation Series at Gahanga Cricket Stadium. The women’s national team departed for Botswana ahead of the Africa Division Two Qualifiers, which will run from July 20 to 26 in Gaborone. The tournament brings together eight teams: Rwanda, Eswatini, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Malawi, Lesotho, Cameroon, and hosts Botswana, all vying for the top two spots that guarantee promotion to Division One and keep hopes alive for qualification to the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. ALSO READ: Ishimwe seizes Hampshire opportunity to make her mark in English cricket Rwanda has been placed in Group A alongside Lesotho, Malawi, and Cameroon. Their campaign kicked off against Lesotho on July 20 at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1. Marie Diane Bimenyimana, captain of the Rwanda national team, expressed confidence in her squad’s preparation and determination to advance to division one. “We had time to prepare through Kwibuka women’s T20, and we also studied the teams we will be facing. We are looking forward to breaking records, just like the Under-19 squad did at the World Cup,” she said. Women’s national team squad: Clarisse Umutoniwase, Geovanis Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Belyse Murekatete, Henriette Ishimwe,, Diane Bimenyimana, Georgette Ingabire, Merveille Uwase, Sarah Uwera, Alice Ikuzwe, Rosette Shimwamana, Rosine Irera, Sylvia Usabyimana and Gisele Ishimwe. Meanwhile, the men’s national cricket team will be in action on home soil, hosting Malawi and Bahrain for the inaugural Tri-Nation Series from July 18 to 27 at Gahanga Cricket Stadium. The tournament not only aims to strengthen sporting ties between Rwanda and Malawi but also marks the first time Bahrain will participate in a competition on Rwandan soil. Bahrain, ranked 25th globally by the ICC and known for finishing sixth in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier, is expected to provide tough competition. “We edged Malawi in the first tournament, and there are no major changes in the squad this time. This is a great opportunity for the national team to prepare ahead of various upcoming tournaments,” said Rwanda’s assistant coach Kenneth Bugingo. Rwanda’s national squad led by head coach Lawrence Mahatlane includes Didier Ndikubwimana, Clinton Rubagumya, Zappy Bimenyimana, Nadir Muhammad, Ignace Ntirenganya, Isaie Niyomugabo, Aime Mucyodusenge, Yves Cyusa, Daniel Gumyusenge, Oscar Manishimwe, Emile Rukiriza, Israel Mugisha, Martin Akayezu, and Eric Kubwimana. Rwanda’s fixtures for the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier: July 20 – vs Lesotho July 21 – vs Malawi July 23 – vs Cameroon July 25 – Semifinals July 26 – Final Men’s tournament schedule July 18: Rwanda vs Bahrain July 19: Rwanda vs Malawi (9:15am) July 19: Bahrain vs Malawi (1:45pm)
