KIGALI – Zimbabwe Women High Performance Centre (HPC) held their nerve to clinch the 2026 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament, edging hosts Rwanda Women by a single run in a dramatic final at Kigali on Saturday.
The young Zimbabwean side posted 126-5 from 20 overs, then defended it fiercely to restrict Rwanda to 125-8 and complete a memorable campaign against several senior international teams.
Pasipanodya anchors, bowlers deliver under pressure
After early blows saw openers Nyasha Gwanzura and Kelly Ndiraya dismissed for ducks inside two overs, Zimbabwe Women HPC rebuilt through Lorraine Pemhiwa and Betty Mangachena. Pemhiwa struck six boundaries in a fluent 31 from 26 balls before falling to Henriette Ishimwe.
Runyararo Pasipanodya then anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 45_ off 35, including five fours and a six. Adel Zimunu added 20 and Michelle Mavunga 5_ as Zimbabwe reached 126-5.
With the ball, Zimbabwe’s attack struck early to reduce Rwanda to 36-6 by the 10th over. Lindokuhle Mabhero, Adel Zimunu and Salem Museka each claimed 2 wickets in a clinical team effort.
Ishimwe’s heroics fall one run short
Rwanda’s Henriette Ishimwe threatened to steal the trophy with a blistering unbeaten 60_ off 38 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. But Zimbabwe held their composure to leave Rwanda one run short on 125-8.
Fanny Utagushimaninde made 15, Belise Murekatete 13 and Alice Ikuzwe 10, but support was limited beyond Ishimwe’s counterattack.
Tournament dominance
The title caps an impressive run for the HPC side, who won six of eight round-robin matches to reach the final. Their success came against senior national teams including Rwanda, Nigeria, Brazil and Malawi.
Zimbabwe Cricket said the victory “underlines the growing depth of women’s cricket in Zimbabwe and highlights the effectiveness of the country’s high-performance pathway in developing the next generation of international players.”
Brief scores: Zimbabwe Women HPC 126-5 in 20 overs (Runyararo Pasipanodya 45_, Lorraine Pemhiwa 31; Rosine Irera 1/13) beat Rwanda Women 125-8 in 20 overs (Henriette Ishimwe 60*; Lindokuhle Mabhero 2/16, Adel Zimunu 2/26, Salem Museka 2/35) by 1 run.
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