Road to 2026 begins for Africa Women's T20 World Cup hopefuls

Eight teams have convened in Botswana for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Division 2 Regional Qualifier beginning on July 20, the first step on the road to the 2026 T20 World Cup held in England.

A total of 20 matches will be played at across both Botswana Cricket Association Ovals in Gaberone, with the winners and runners-up at the tournament progressing to the Division 1 Qualifier in Namibia from August 31.

The teams are split into two groups of four each, with cross-over semifinals and placement playoffs.

Botswana Cricket Association Vice-Chairman Sumod Damodar welcomed the teams.

“On behalf of the Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) Board, management and all stakeholders, it gives me immense pleasure to welcome all the teams and the ICC officials to the tournament," Damodar began.

“Botswana has hosted a few such tournaments in the recent past and as such most, if not all the participants, would be coming home away from home.

“I sincerely hope that all the games would be played in the true spirit of cricket, and that the performances will continue to grow from strength to strength. May the best teams win”.

All matches of the Qualifier are live and free on ICC.tv.

Squads

Rwanda**:** Marie D. Bimenyimana (Captain), Clarisse Umutoniwase, Belise Murekatete, Geovanis Uwase, Shakila Niyomuhoza, Gisele Ishimwe, Henrietta Ishimwe, Mervielle Uwase, Rosine Irera, Rossette Shimwamana, Slyvia Usabyimana, Sarah Uwera, Georgette Ingabire, Alice Ikuzwe

Botswana: Tuelo Shadrack (Captain), Pako Mapotsane, Amantle Mokgotlhe, Kesego Inakale, Laura Mophakedi, Oratile Kgeresi, Aliya Motorwala, Onneile Keitsemang, Maatla Sefati, Goitseone Setshwane, Merapelo Phiase, Wendy Moutswi, Tlhalefo Godisamang, Goabilwe Matome

Sierra Leone**:** Aminata B. Kamara (Captain), Emma Kamara, Fatu Conteh, Zainab Kamara, Celina Bull, Patricia Pratt, Hussainatu Sawanneh, Linda Bull, Alice Fillie, Fatu Pessima, Marie Turay, Isha Kariatu Bangura, Hassanatu Sawanah, Ann Marie Kamara

Cameroon: Ekani Solange (Captain), Nseke Madeline, Waluma Brenda, Ngono Adrienne, Ranedoumoun Olive, Guehoada Edwige, Douma Francine, Nangeh Diom, Kana Garcia, Ngo Cathy, Akenji Sonita, Aboui Manuella, Etoga Marguerite, Manidom Ingrid

Malawi: Ketrina Chingaipe (Captain), Lucy Bigula, Angela Lumbe, Sophina Chinawa, Praise Maziya, Sungeni Kananji, Esther Richard, Lydia Dimba, Lucy Malino, Febbe Malefula, Eva Kabwere, Christina Bwanali, Triphonia Luka, Lucy Wesley

Mozambique: Angelica Filipe Salomao (Captain), Olga Carlos Mondlane, Rosalia Pichano Haiong, Cristina Fernando Magaia, Isabel Cristina Chuma, Amelia Lucas Mundundo, Laura Francisco Chipanga, Ilza Artur Machava, Irene Ermelinda Mulhovo, Wisley Nely A. Bucuane, Yudney Da Kley M. Murrure, Regina Osvaldo Mazumba, Alda Luis Mangue, Olga Arnaldo Matsolo

Eswatini: Mbali Dlamini (Captain), Tibusiso Dlamini, Noncedo Simelane, Lethokuhle Gwebu, Lindokuhle Mamba, Nkosiingiphile Mamba, Tenele Malinga, Ntombizini Gwebu, Zinhle Shabalala, Lihle Shabalala, Lulama Simelane, Nothando Mabila, Ntombizodwa Mkhatshwa, Winile Ginindza

Lesotho: Maneo Nyabela (Captain), Mosa Tsemane, Tsepang Khabo, Paballo Pheko, Thato Mahe, Kananelo Molapo, Makopano Mabathona, Boitumelo Phelanyane, Kananelo Mabitle, Boitumelo Tlali, Retsepile Limema, Tanki Ramabitsa, Nthama Kobeli, Nthatuoa Thekiso

Match schedule

Sunday, 20 July

Morning:

Rwanda vs Lesotho at BCA Oval 1

Botswana vs Eswatini at BCA Oval 2

Afternoon:

Malawi vs Cameroon at BCA Oval 1

Mozambique vs Sierra Leone at BCA Oval 2

Monday, 21 July

Morning:

Botswana vs Mozambique at BCA Oval 1

Rwanda vs Malawi at BCA Oval 2

Afternoon:

Sierra Leone vs Eswatini at BCA Oval 1

Cameroon vs Lesotho at BCA Oval 2

Tuesday**,** 22 July

Rest Day

Wednes****day, 23 July

Morning:

Malawi vs Lesotho at BCA Oval 1

Eswatini vs Mozambique at BCA Oval 2

Afternoon:

Botswana vs Sierra Leone at BCA Oval 1

Rwanda vs Cameroon at BCA Oval 2

Thurs****day, 24 July

Morning:

Semifinal 1 (TBD) at BCA Oval 1

Semifinal 3 (TBD) at BCA Oval 2

Afternoon:

Semifinal 2 (TBD) at BCA Oval 1

Semifinal 4 (TBD) at BCA Oval 2

Satur****day, 5 A****pril

Morning:

3^rd Place Playoff (TBD) at BCA Oval 1

7^th Place Playoff (TBD) at BCA Oval 2

Afternoon:

Final (TBD) at BCA Oval 1

5^th Place Playoff (TBD) at BCA Oval 2