ITALY BEATS HOSTS RWANDA IN ICC WOMEN’S CHALLENGE TROPHY OPENER
Media Release
Italy defeated hosts Rwanda by 16 runs DLS in a rain-affected opening match of the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.
Rwanda made a slow start to the tournament, struggling to keep pace after Italy set an early target. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Italy posted 72 runs for the loss of 1 wicket before rain interrupted play in the 11th over.
Following the delay, the match was reduced to seven overs per side, with Rwanda’s revised target set at 67 runs to win. However, the hosts failed to build momentum in their chase, finding Italy’s disciplined bowling attack difficult to break down.
Despite strong support from the home crowd, Rwanda were limited to 50 runs, with openers Gisele Ishimwe and Fanny Utagushimaninde all dismissed for single figures.
Italy’s Alexia Kontopirakis was named Player of the Match after a standout all-round performance, scoring 45 runs off 37 balls and taking two catches.
Nepal Vs USA
Nepal were dealt an early setback, suffering a 44-run defeat to the United States at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium Main Oval.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the USA put in a strong performance with the bat. Player of the Match Pooja Ganesh led the charge with 47 runs, while Gargi Bhogle added 34, the pair contributing the bulk of the team’s total as the Americans posted 123/6 in their 20 overs.
Nepal’s chase never gathered momentum, as they struggled to cope with the United States’ disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. The target increasingly slipped out of their reach as wickets were contained and scoring opportunities limited.
Although Nepal played all their allotted overs, they fell well short of the target, finishing 44 runs behind as the United States sealed an emphatic victory.
Match Summaries
Italy Women: 72/1 in 11 overs
Rwanda Women: 50/4 in 7 overs
Italy Women won by 16 runs (DLS)
Nepal Vs USA
USA Women: 123/6 in 20 overs
Nepal Women: 79/9 in 20 overs
USA Women won by 44 runs
Fixtures: Sunday 19****th April 2026
9:00AM: Rwanda Vs Vanuatu (Gahanga Main Oval)
1:00PM: Italy Vs Nepal (Gahanga Main Oval)
Points Table
TEAM
PLAYED
WON
LOST
TIED
NR
POINTS
NRR
Italy
1
1
0
0
0
2
+2.2857
USA
1
1
0
0
0
2
+2.2000
Nepal
1
0
1
0
0
0
-2.2000
Rwanda
1
0
1
0
0
0
-2.2857
Vanuatu
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.0
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Official Tournament hashtag: #ICCWCT2026
Ends