Didier Ndikubwimana and Hamza Khan produced the batting fireworks before a disciplined bowling display completed Rwanda’s convincing 55-run victory over Botswana in the opening match of the 2026 Africa Continental Cup at Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B on Tuesday. Put into bat first, Rwanda posted 192/2 in 20 overs, setting Botswana a challenging target of 193. Captain and wicketkeeper Ndikubwimana anchored the innings with an unbeaten 69 off 60 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. He found valuable support from Khan, who provided the acceleration with 53 off 34 balls, including three fours and four sixes. ALSO READ: Mahatlane puts rankings aside as ILT20 Continent Cup kicks off in Kigali The partnership gave Rwanda a solid platform before David Uwimana and Emile Rukiriza added late acceleration. Uwimana remained unbeaten on 30 off 18 balls, hitting three sixes, while Rukiriza provided the most explosive cameo of the innings, smashing 29 not out from just 11 deliveries. The late surge lifted Rwanda to 192, leaving Botswana needing almost 10 runs an over from the outset. Botswana’s chase began positively through Monroux Kasselman, who struck 31 from 17 balls, including seven fours. But his dismissal by Martin Akayezu allowed Rwanda to tighten their grip on the match. Vinoo Balakrishnan offered further resistance with a brisk 61 off 41 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, but Botswana struggled to maintain the required scoring rate. The loss of key wickets eventually stalled their chase, with Botswana finishing on 137/7 after 20 overs. Akayezu was among Rwanda’s wicket-takers, while Yves Cyusa claimed the important wicket of Balakrishnan, who was stumped by Ndikubwimana. The victory gives the hosts an ideal start to a tournament featuring Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Botswana and Sierra Leone in a double round-robin format. It also provides Rwanda with valuable competitive cricket as the team prepares for the next stages of the international calendar. In the other opening-day match, Kenya produced a dominant display against Sierra Leone, posting 204/7 in 20 overs before restricting their opponents to 110/7 to win by 94 runs. Sierra Leone’s George Sesay top-scored with 20 off 21 balls, while Kenya’s Rakep Patel and Sukhdeep Singh led the bowling effort as their side comfortably defended its total. Rwanda’s 55-run victory provides an early boost, with tougher tests against defending champions Uganda and regional rivals Kenya still to come. Fixtures, Wednesday 9 September 9:30 AM: Gahanga B Oval Uganda Vs Serria Leone 2PM: Gahanga B Oval Kenya Vs Rwanda
