Africa’s premier women’s cricket tournament returns to Botswana this April.
The Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 features seven competing nations across six days of T20I cricket.
Matches run from April 6 to 11 at the Botswana Cricket Association facilities in Gaborone.
Sierra Leone Women defend their 2025 crown against six challengers.
The tournament grew from its four-team format last year to a seven-nation competition.
Brazil Women participate for the first time, bringing a cross-continental flavor to the African event.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 – Series Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Edition | 3rd Edition |
| Host | Botswana |
| Host Association | Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) |
| Tournament Dates | April 6-11, 2026 |
| Teams Competing | 7 Nations |
| Participants | Botswana, Brazil, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia |
| Match Total | 22 T20Is (21 league stage + 1 final) |
| Structure | Round-robin league, top 2 qualify for final |
| Match Type | Full Women’s T20I Status |
| Playing Venues | BCA Oval 1 & Oval 2, Gaborone |
| Championship Match | April 11, 2026 |
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Teams
| Team | Competition Status | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana Women | Host | Lost 2025 final, home advantage in 2026 |
| Sierra Leone Women | Defending Champions | Won the 2025 Kalahari tournament title |
| Malawi Women | ICC Africa Associate | A frequent participant in African women’s cricket |
| Zambia Women | ICC Africa Associate | Developing a cricket nation in southern Africa |
| Lesotho Women | ICC Africa Associate | Tournament debut in 2026 |
| Mozambique Women | ICC Africa Associate | Second consecutive tournament appearance |
| Brazil Women | ICC Americas Associate | First team from outside Africa to compete |
The field expands from four to seven teams between 2025 and 2026. Brazil Women break new ground as the tournament’s first non-African participant. Lesotho Women make their inaugural appearance after sitting out previous editions.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Fixtures
The complete match schedule runs 22 games across six days. Both ovals host matches simultaneously. Morning games start at 1:00 PM IST (9:30 AM in Gaborone). Afternoon sessions begin at 5:30 PM IST (2:00 PM local).
Day 1 – Monday, April 6
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Leone W vs Brazil W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 2 | Lesotho W vs Malawi W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 3 | Botswana W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 4 | Zambia W vs Mozambique W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 2 – Tuesday, April 7
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Botswana W vs Sierra Leone W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 6 | Brazil W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 7 | Lesotho W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 8 | Sierra Leone W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 3 – Wednesday, April 8
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Botswana W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 10 | Brazil W vs Zambia W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 11 | Sierra Leone W vs Lesotho W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 12 | Mozambique W vs Malawi W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 4 – Thursday, April 9
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Brazil W vs Lesotho W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 14 | Botswana W vs Zambia W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 15 | Malawi W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 16 | Sierra Leone W vs Mozambique W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 5 – Friday, April 10
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Brazil W vs Malawi W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 18 | Botswana W vs Lesotho W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 2 |
| 19 | Brazil W vs Botswana W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
| 20 | Sierra Leone W vs Zambia W | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 2 |
Day 6 – Saturday, April 11
| Match | Teams | IST | GMT | Local Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Lesotho W vs Mozambique W | 1:00 PM | 7:30 AM | 9:30 AM | Oval 1 |
| 22 | FINAL (TBC vs TBC) | 5:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Oval 1 |
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Format and Rules
The competition structure stays straightforward. All seven teams meet each other once in a round-robin league. This generates 21 matches over five days.
Teams accumulate points based on results. Victories bring two points. Ties or no results earn one point. Defeats score zero points.
The top two teams after the league phase advance to the championship match on April 11. The format skips semi-finals entirely.
Every game matters in this tight structure. Teams that lose twice early face steep odds of reaching the final. Strong performance across all six league matches becomes essential.
All matches hold full ICC Women’s T20I classification. Results influence international rankings.
Teams collect or shed rating points that affect World Cup qualification pathways.
Venue: Botswana Cricket Association Grounds, Gaborone
Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 and Oval 2 handle all tournament matches.
Both grounds exist within the same cricket complex in Gaborone. They function independently despite sharing infrastructure.
The BCA built these facilities into reliable venues through steady investment.
They hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier in July 2025 with eight participating nations.
The 2025 Kalahari tournament also ran at these grounds with four competing teams. The BCA showed solid organizational skills during both events.
Both ovals satisfy T20I cricket standards. The pitches support quality matches.
April in Gaborone brings dry weather with consistent sunshine. Rain disruptions rarely occur during this month, creating ideal tournament conditions.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Live Streaming Platforms: Apps and Sites
Official broadcasting arrangements remain unannounced. Based on typical coverage patterns, these platforms may stream matches:
- FanCode
FanCode typically covers associate cricket for Indian audiences. The platform previously streamed African women’s tournaments.
Indian fans should check the FanCode app for streaming confirmation before April 6. Coverage announcements usually arrive about one week before the tournament start.
- ICC.tv
ICC.tv delivers international streaming for ICC-approved events. Since matches carry official T20I status, ICC coverage seems likely.
Check ICC.tv for regional availability. Broadcasting rights create viewing restrictions in certain countries.
- BCA Social Channels
The Botswana Cricket Association may provide free streams through Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter. Associate boards often use social platforms for direct fan engagement.
Follow BCA official pages for tournament updates and potential streaming information. Social media frequently offers the easiest global access.
Broadcast details typically emerge approximately one week before tournaments begin.
FAQs
- What dates does the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 run?
The tournament happens from April 6 to 11, 2026, across six days in Gaborone, Botswana.
- Which teams compete in the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026?
Seven teams participate: Botswana, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Brazil.
- Who are the current champions?
Sierra Leone Women hold the title after winning the 2025 Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament against Botswana.
- How can I watch matches online?
Probable streaming options include FanCode (India), ICC.tv (international), and BCA social media. Verify closer to April 6.
- What tournament structure is used?
Single round-robin format where each team plays all others once. The top two teams meet in the final.
- What venue hosts the tournament?
BCA Oval 1 and Oval 2 in Gaborone, Botswana, host all 22 matches.
Conclusion:
The Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 delivers six days of competitive cricket starting April 6 in Gaborone.
Seven nations battle through 22 T20I matches for the championship trophy.
Title holders Sierra Leone Women defend against challenges from host Botswana Women and five other teams.
Brazil Women participate as the tournament’s first non-African team.
Lesotho Women enter their maiden tournament appearance. The expanded format creates the strongest competition yet.
All results count toward ICC rankings with qualification implications for future events.
Circle April 6 to 11, 2026, for quality African women’s cricket from Botswana.
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