The global push to expand women’s cricket beyond traditional powerhouses continues to gather momentum, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiling a new tournament designed to strengthen opportunities for emerging teams. The inaugural ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy is set to mark an important step in bridging the competitive gap and offering consistent international exposure to Associate Member nations.
The tournament will begin on April 18 in Kigali, with hosts Rwanda taking on Italy in one of the opening fixtures, while Nepal face United States in the other match on day one. Matches will be held at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium, a venue that has increasingly become a hub for international cricket in East Africa. The five team competition will run until May 1 and also features Vanuatu, who will begin their campaign on the second day against the hosts. The event follows a double round robin format, ensuring that each team plays multiple matches, a structure aimed at maximising game time and accelerating development.
This newly introduced competition is part of the ICC’s broader strategy to grow the women’s game globally, particularly among Associate Members. In recent years, the governing body has expanded its pathway events, including the Emerging Nations Trophy, to ensure that more teams gain exposure to structured international competition. The Challenge Trophy specifically targets top performing Associate teams that narrowly missed out on qualification for higher tier tournaments, giving them a platform to compete at a meaningful level.
All participating teams earned their spots based on their performances in the 2025 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup regional qualifiers, underlining the merit based pathway the ICC is trying to establish. By creating more competitive fixtures between similarly ranked teams, the tournament is expected to raise standards and prepare players for tougher global competitions.
The initiative comes at a time when women’s cricket is undergoing significant expansion. The upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales later this year, will feature 12 teams, reflecting a gradual increase in participation at the highest level. The ICC has already outlined plans to expand the tournament to 16 teams by 2030, signalling long term commitment to inclusivity and growth.
Rwanda hosting the inaugural edition is also a notable milestone. Over the past decade, the country has invested heavily in cricket infrastructure and grassroots development, emerging as one of Africa’s promising cricketing destinations. The selection of Kigali as the venue highlights the ICC’s intent to diversify hosting opportunities and promote the sport in non traditional regions.
Beyond competition, the tournament also carries symbolic importance. It represents a shift in how global cricket structures are evolving, moving away from a limited core of dominant teams to a more inclusive ecosystem where emerging nations are given regular opportunities to compete and improve.
As the first matches get underway in Kigali, the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy is set to provide not just results, but a glimpse into the future of women’s cricket, one where growth is shared across continents and new stories continue to emerge on the international stage.
Squads:
Italy
Emilia Bartram (C), Himanshi Daluwatta, Ishara Jayamannage (WK), Pasindi Kanankege, Alexia Kontopirakis, Chathurika Mahamalage, Sadalee Malwatta, Emma Moore, Dilaisha Nanayakkara, Kumudu Peddrick, Amaya Rajapaksha, Methnara Rathnayake (WK), Ilenia Sims, Sonia Toffoletto
Nepal
Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato (VC), Suman Bist, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Rubi Poddar (WK), Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay
Rwanda
Marie Bimenyimana (C), Alice Ikuzwe, Flora Irakoze, Rosine Irera, Gisele Ishimwe, Henriette Ishimwe, Belise Murekatete, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Rosette Shimwamana, Clarrisse Umutoniwase, Fanny Utagushimaninde, Geovanis Uwase, Merveille Uwase (WK), Ruth Uwimana
United States of America
Aditiba Chudasama (C), Gargi Bhogle, Taranum Chopra, Nikhar Doshi, Pooja Ganesh (wk), Aparna Gurumurthy, Sainavi Kambalapalli, Maahi Madhavan, Chetna Pagydyala, Chetnaa Prasad, Lekha Shetty, Ritu Singh, Suhani Thadani, Isani Vaghela
Vanuatu
T.B.C.
Schedule:
April 18
9:00am – Rwanda vs Italy, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
1:00pm – Nepal vs USA, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
April 19
9:00am – Rwanda vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
1:00pm – Italy vs Nepal, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
April 21
9:00am – Rwanda vs USA, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
1:00pm – Vanuatu vs Italy, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
April 22
9:00am – Rwanda vs Nepal, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
1:00pm – USA vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
April 24
9:00am – Nepal vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
1:00pm – Italy vs USA, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
April 26
9:00am – Rwanda vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
1:00pm – USA vs Nepal, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
April 27
9:00am – Rwanda vs Italy, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
1:00pm – USA vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
April 28
9:00am – Rwanda vs Nepal, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
1:00pm – Italy vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
April 30
9:00am – Italy vs USA, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
1:00pm – Nepal vs Vanuatu, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval
May 1
9:00am – Rwanda vs USA, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
1:00pm – Italy vs Nepal, Gahanga Cricket Stadium Oval B
