Zimbabwe High Performance Centre (HPC) were crowned champions of the Kwibuka Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 after defeating hosts Rwanda by just one run in a dramatic final at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Batting first, Zimbabwe HPC posted 126/5 in their 20 overs. Runyararo Pasipanodya led the way with an unbeaten 45 off 35 balls to earn Player of the Match honours, while Lorraine Pemhiwa contributed 31 and captain Adel Zimunu added 20 before retiring out.
Rwanda’s chase got off to a disastrous start as the hosts slumped to 36/6 inside the first 10 overs. However, Henriette Ishimwe produced a remarkable counterattack to keep Rwanda’s hopes alive.
Batting at number seven, Ishimwe smashed an unbeaten 60 from just 38 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, dragging her side back into contention. Needing three runs from the final ball to force a Super Over, Rwanda managed only two, handing Zimbabwe a narrow one-run victory.
Despite the heartbreak, Ishimwe was named Player of the Tournament and praised the quality of competition on display throughout the event.
“Women’s cricket in Africa is improving a lot. All the teams here had the ability to beat one another. Not a single match was easy,” she said.
“Zimbabwe did very well and we did very well too, but at the end of the day, one team has to win.”
Rwanda head coach Leonard Nhamburo expressed pride in his players despite the painful defeat.
“To lose by one run hurts, especially in a final. But they fought very well,” he said.
He added that strengthening partnerships in the middle order would be one of the team’s key areas of focus moving forward.
Zimbabwe HPC’s Nyasha Gwanzura was named Best Batter of the Tournament and credited her teammates for the triumph.
“I am happy I contributed to my team. We had each other’s backs, we poured our hearts out, and we couldn’t expect anything more,” she said.
Nigeria’s Christabel Chukwuonye claimed the Best Bowler award, while Sarah Ekwere Etim was named Best Fielder. Nigeria finished third after defeating Brazil in the playoff match.
Claudine Uwase, Director of Women’s Cricket Development at the Rwanda Cricket Federation, hailed the tournament’s competitiveness and growth.
“The players showed a lot of competitiveness. This tournament was different from others because the teams were very closely matched and had the passion to compete. They put on a great show and we are very happy about it,” she said.
For Rwanda, the one-run defeat will sting for some time. Yet Ishimwe’s fighting knock and the team’s resilience in the face of near-certain defeat offered a reminder of how far women’s cricket has progressed in the country, and a foundation on which to build for the future.
