Rwanda women’s cricket team head coach Leonard Nhamburo has named a 14-woman squad that he will use during the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Region Division One Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Namibia from August 31 to September 6. Rwanda booked their ticket to final round of the Africa qualifier after winning the Division Two trophy with a commanding 51-run victory over Sierra Leone in the final at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval in July. There were no major changes to the squad that played the Division Two. Only Flora Irakoze and Immaculee Muhawenimana were added, replacing Sarah Uwera and Georgette Ingabire. “I added Uwera as a wicketkeeper because she takes balls cleanly, and Muhawenimana as an extra pace bowler with experience to help us manage workloads in her position,” coach Nhamburo explained. Clarisse Umutoniwase, Geovanis Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Belyse Murekatete, Henriette Ishimwe, Diane Bimenyimana , Merveille Uwase, Alice Ikuzwe, Rosette Shimwamana, Rosine Irera, Sylvia Usabyimana and Gisele Ishimwe. ALSO READ: Ishimwe’s 'audition' in England: Game-changer for Rwandan women’s cricket or just a one-off? Some players were part of the team that made history when they qualified the country for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup that took place in South Africa in 2023. However, Nhamburo, who was the team coach back then, remains cautious about expectations at the final qualifying tournament, “Yes, we have players who played in the World Cup, but two years later, a lot has changed in terms of skills and awareness. It’s just a matter of the players delivering when it is required,” he noted. The squad will depart for Namibia on Tuesday, August 26, where they will join Sierra Leone, who qualified as runners-up from Division Two.
