The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently announced the schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier 2025. In line with the preparations, Rwanda on July 15 unveiled the squad that will represent the nation in the upcoming tournament.
Rwanda has been placed in Group A alongside Lesotho, Malawi, and Cameroon. They will kick off their campaign against Lesotho on July 20, 2025, at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 in Gaborone.
Their second fixture is scheduled for July 21, 2025, against Malawi at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2. Rwanda will then wrap up their group stage with a clash against Cameroon on July 23, also at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2 in Gaborone.
The semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier 2025 will be held on July 24, featuring the top two teams from each group. Both matches are set to take place at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2 in Gaborone. The tournament will conclude with the final at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2 in Gaborone on Saturday, July 26, where the winners of the two semi-finals will face off for the title.
One of the key players to watch in the Rwandan squad is young and dynamic batter Gisele Ishimwe. At just 20 years old, she is Rwanda’s all-time leading run-scorer, having amassed 1,448 runs in 86 innings. Her record includes two half-centuries and a century, underlining her ability to anchor innings and contribute significantly with the bat. Ishimwe is also handy with the ball, having claimed 14 wickets with her off-spin, making her a valuable all-round asset for the team.
Diane Bimenyimana, another key member of the Rwandan squad, has also been named for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier. The 28-year-old has amassed 1,302 runs in 102 T20I matches, making her one of the team’s most experienced and dependable batters. Her unbeaten 114 against Mali stands as the highest individual score for Rwanda in T20Is.
Beyond her batting prowess, Bimenyimana is a proven all-rounder. As a fast bowler, she has taken 77 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. Her figures of 5 for 3 against Malawi remain the best individual bowling performance for Rwanda and are also the second-best figures recorded by a captain in a Women’s T20 International. In 2024, she finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in WT20Is for the calendar year, claiming 43 wickets. This reflects her consistency and overall impact on the team’s success.
The squad also features Henriette Ishimwe, who at just 21 years old has already established herself as a cornerstone of the Rwandan team. In 107 T20I matches, she has scored 1,169 runs, becoming one of only three Rwandan batters to surpass the 1,000-run mark in the format.
With the ball, Ishimwe is Rwanda’s leading wicket-taker. The medium-pace bowler has taken 132 wickets in 102 innings, including four four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket performances. Known for her accuracy and control, she holds an impressive economy rate of 4.28. In 2024, she finished with 50 wickets, the highest tally by any bowler in a calendar year in Women’s T20 Internationals.
Rosine Irera, an off-break bowler, has been a consistent performer for Rwanda with the ball. She has taken 66 wickets in 59 matches, including a four-wicket haul. Known for her disciplined line and length, Irera maintains an outstanding economy rate of just 3.66, making her one of the most economical bowlers in Rwanda’s T20I setup.
Rwanda Squad for T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier 2025:
Diane Bimenyimana, Merveille Uwase, Clarisse Uwitonze, Henriette Ishimwe, Alice Ikuzwe, Gisèle Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Rosette Shimweimana, Belyse Murekatete, Sakinah Niyomfura, Georgette Ingabire, Sarah Uwiera, Sylvie Usabyiyimbabazi, Geovanis Uwase
The Rwandan national team has played a total of 107 T20I matches, winning 62, losing 44, with one ending in a tie. While they have generally been a solid performer in the format, their recent form has raised concerns, having won only two of their last five matches in the Kwibuka Women’s Twenty20 Tournament.
Despite this, Rwanda showed promise by topping the group stage with seven wins and just one loss. Unfortunately, their campaign ended on a disappointing note as they were defeated in both the semi-finals and the third-place playoff. The team will be determined to continue the positive aspects of their form and will aim to win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier.
Rwanda’s T20 World Cup Division 2 Africa Qualifier 2025 Fixtures:
- July 20- v Lesotho
- July 21 – v Malawi
- July 23 – v Cameroon
- July 25 – Semifinals
- July 26 – Final
