Rwanda’s six-match Tri-Nations T20I series in Malawi from August 11–16 provided more than just competitive cricket for the national men’s team. It gave the coaching staff an opportunity to test players, build squad depth and identify areas that need improvement ahead of a busy September. Rwanda played six matches against hosts Malawi and Zambia, winning four and losing two. They were crowned champions after beating Zambia by five wickets in the final game. The series formed part of Rwanda’s preparations for next month’s T20I tournament and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. For Rwanda Cricket Association General Manager Emmanuel Byiringiro, the priority was to ensure the national team gets enough competitive cricket ahead of the more important qualification campaign. “We’re trying to give them as many matches as possible so they can compete. After Malawi, they’ll come here. We will be playing in the T20I. There will be eight teams competing from September 1-14. There will be many matches to ensure that, when the qualifiers arrive, they are ready and prepared to compete,” Byiringiro told Times Sport. The series was therefore part of a wider preparation plan rather than being judged solely on results. Rwanda head coach Lawrence Mahatlane said the annual games in Malawi were particularly important because they allowed the technical team to expose more players to international cricket while testing different approaches. “It’s our annual games with Malawi. This year they have invited Zambia. We play them every year, and while we’re waiting for the final dates of the Africa Qualifier, it’s important that we keep playing competitive cricket,” Mahatlane said. For the South African coach, the main value of the tournament was the opportunity to assess the squad in different conditions. “The main objective was to give more opportunities to players and find different ways to perform in different conditions,” he said. That approach could prove important as Rwanda prepares for the September T20I tournament, which will provide further opportunities to test the squad before the World Cup qualifying campaign. Lessons from pressure situations The series also highlighted the importance of Rwanda’s ability to handle difficult moments, particularly with the bat. Captain Didier Ndikubwimana said one of the biggest lessons came from a match in which Rwanda slipped to 44/6 before recovering to remain competitive. “I think the game started slipping away when we lost quick wickets in the middle overs and were at 44/6. The pressure was very high, but we stayed calm and focused on building small partnerships instead of chasing big shots,” Didier said. The experience underlined the importance of maintaining composure rather than allowing early setbacks to dictate the rest of an innings. “The plan was simple: stay calm, rotate the strike and punish any loose balls. We knew we did not need risky cricket because the target was still achievable. The batters focused on taking singles and doubles while waiting for the right moment to attack,” he added. Didier believes such situations are exactly the type of experiences Rwanda needs before facing stronger opposition in the next stages of qualification. “Most importantly, we trusted each other and believed we could finish the game,” he said. The captain also highlighted the partnership between Martin Akayezu and Emile Rukiriza as a turning point. With Rwanda struggling at 44/6, Akayezu’s aggressive 38 off 21 balls helped shift the momentum and demonstrated the value of players who can change the course of a game under pressure. Building towards September qualifier Despite Rwanda’s encouraging performances in Malawi, Mahatlane believes there are still areas that need improvement. One of his main concerns is consistency, particularly in the middle order. “Consistency will be the key, especially for our middle order,” he said. The coach also wants the squad to continue developing rather than relying on a small group of established players. “I believe the core of the group will stay together,” Mahatlane said. The September T20I tournament will provide another important test. With eight teams expected to compete from September 1–14, Rwanda will have another opportunity to give players competitive experience and expose the squad to different match situations. For Mahatlane, these competitions are part of a longer-term preparation process. “These tournaments are all building blocks,” he said. Rwanda have already secured their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier after progressing from the sub-regional qualifier in Botswana earlier this year. The remaining places in the Africa Qualifier will be determined after another sub-regional tournament in October. The Africa Qualifier will bring together seven teams, with the top two earning places at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Rwanda reached the same stage in the previous qualification cycle but failed to win a match. Mahatlane believes the current group is better prepared to handle the challenge. “The last time we reached this stage, we didn’t manage to win a single game. The team has changed, and the players who were there have grown tremendously over the last three years,” he said. But the coach is conscious that qualification will require further improvement. “All the teams will be in good form. It’s important that we focus on our processes and not think too far ahead,” Mahatlane said. For Rwanda, the Malawi series was therefore another important step in that process. The wins provided confidence, the defeats exposed weaknesses, while the opportunities given to players helped strengthen the depth of the squad. With the T20I tournament coming next month, Rwanda will have little time to rest on their progress. The challenge now is to turn the lessons from Malawi into greater consistency before the stakes rise in the World Cup qualification campaign.
