Photo Credit: Rwanda Cricket
The national women’s cricket team head coach Leonard Nhambulo has summoned a 14-woman squad as his side gears up for the forthcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers slated from September 7-20 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Originally the tournament was scheduled to take place in October 2021, but was brought forward to ease fixture congestion. The dates for the Africa Qualifier were confirmed last month (July).
The announced squad was characterized by surprise changes as Nhamburo named Diane Marie Bimenyimana as the new skipper for the women’s national cricket team, replacing Sarah Uwera.
Bimenyimana was a key figure for Nhambulo’s side that finished third in the Kwibuka Women’s T20 tourney held in Kigali back in June and her impressive performance earned her a nod to make it in the team of the tournament.
Henriette Ishimwe, whose performance in Kwibuka Women’s T20 tourney saw her feature in the team of the tournament, was named vice-captain and will be assisting Bimenyimana.
The squad: Sarah Uwera, Sifa Ingabire, Immacule Muhawenimana, Alice Ikuzwe, Diane Marie Bimenyimana (Captain), Henriette Ishimwe (Vice captain), Margueritte Vumiliya, Gisele Ishimwe, Josiane Nyirankundineza, Belyse Murekatete, Cathia Uwamahoro, Antoinette Uwimbabazi, Flora Irakoze and Merveille Uwase.
Reserves: Olive Dusabimana and Josiane Uwimbabazi.
The Rwanda Cricket Association is the governing body for cricket in Rwanda, headquartered in Kicukiro district, Kigali. An associate member of the International Cricket Council since 2003, it also belongs to the African Cricket Association.
