The stage is set for the final of the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifier 2025, with Rwanda and Sierra Leone gearing up for a high stakes encounter at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 in Gaborone on Saturday, July 26. Both teams have not only earned their place in the tournament’s final but have also secured qualification for the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Division One Qualifier 2025, which is scheduled to be held in Namibia.
With a spot in Division One already clinched, the final promises to be a battle for regional dominance as Rwanda and Sierra Leone look to cap off their campaigns with silverware. Both Rwanda and Sierra Leone head into the final in red-hot form, having gone unbeaten through the group stage of the ICC T20 World Cup Africa Division Two Qualifier 2025.
Squads:
Rwanda Women’s Cricket Team
Marie D. Bimenyimana (C), 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
Sierra Leone Women’s Cricket Team
Aminata B. Kamara (C), 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
Players to watch out:
Rosine Irera
The young and emerging off-spinner from Rwanda, Rosine Irera, has already claimed 73 wickets in 63 T20Is so far, playing a vital role in her team’s recent successes. With seven wickets in the ongoing Qualifier, she currently ranks third among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers. She has been consistent with her returns, being both economical and effective, registering bowling figures of 3/4, 0/8, 2/1, and 2/13 in the competition so far.
Henrietta Ishimwe
A consistent all-rounder and one of Rwanda’s most experienced players, 23-year-old Henrietta Ishimwe has already featured in 111 WT20Is for her national team. She has amassed 1211 runs and secured 138 wickets, with respective bests of 67* and 5/6. Her experience has been a crucial asset in Rwanda’s unbeaten run in the Qualifier. Her opportunities with the bat have been limited, yet managed scores of 24 and 18, while her bowling figures read 3/13, 1/2, and 2/8.
Emma Kamara
At just 16 years old, Kamara has emerged as the highest run-getter in the ongoing Qualifier, scoring 151 runs in four innings at an average of over 50. Her most notable performance came against Eswatini in the second group stage match, where she struck a match-winning 71. In addition to her batting prowess, she has proven to be a valuable asset with the ball, picking up four wickets. In 28 T20Is she has scored 427 runs and struck 25 wickets.
Aminata B. Kamara
A dependable all-rounder and captain leading from the front, Aminata Kamara has established herself as a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s women’s squad. In 40 T20Is, she has added 565 runs and taken 30 wickets. In the Qualifier so far, with the bat, she has scored 117 runs, the second highest in the tournament, while maintaining an impressive strike rate of nearly 145, the highest among all players. With the ball, she has taken 6 wickets, delivering two 3-fers.
Pitch:
The surface at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 generally offers assistance to bowlers, particularly spinners and those who rely on variations like cutters. Matches here often see low totals, and teams prefer to bat first, as the pitch tends to deteriorate as the game progresses.
Weather:
The weather in Gaborone is expected to be ideal for cricket with no forecast of rain, broken clouds and sunny intervals throughout the day. Temperatures will remain steady around 24 to 25°C, with partly overcast conditions and humidity reaching up to 38 percent.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Aminata B. Kamara, Emma Kamara, Linda Bull, Marie Turay, Henriette Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Marie Bimenyimana, Alice Ikuzwe, Zainab Kamara, Gisele Ishimwe, Belise Murekatete
Match Details:
Date – July 26, 2025
Time — 5:20 PM IST
Venue – Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone
Broadcast — The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
