Rwanda to launch inaugural ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy

The fixtures for the first ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy have been finalised, with hosts Rwanda opening the tournament against Italy on 18 April in Kigali. Nepal face the USA on the same day, while Vanuatu begin their campaign on 19 April after an opening‑day bye. Matches will be played across the two adjoining grounds at Gahanga Cricket Stadium.

Created to give Associate Members greater international exposure, the event sits alongside the Emerging Nations Trophy and features the highest‑placed teams from each ICC region not involved in that competition. All five sides qualified through their performances in the 2025 regional Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers. The tournament runs until 2 May in a double round‑robin format designed to provide sustained, high‑level match experience as the women’s game continues to grow. Nepal and the USA arrive as favourites, while Vanuatu enter buoyed by last year’s upset win over Indonesia.