Karan The Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 brings African women’s cricket back to Gaborone this April.
Seven nations compete from April 6 to 11 at the Botswana Cricket Association grounds.
Sierra Leone Women enter as defending champions after their 2025 triumph.
Brazil Women join for the first time, marking a historic cross-continental expansion.
This third edition features 22 T20I matches across six days.
The tournament has grown dramatically from four teams in 2025 to seven in 2026.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026
All matches carry full ICC T20I status, making every game count toward international rankings.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 – Series Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament Edition | 3rd Edition |
| Host Nation | Botswana |
| Organizing Authority | Botswana Cricket Association (BCA) |
| Tournament Period | April 6-11, 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 7 Nations |
| Competing Nations | Botswana, Brazil, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia |
| Total Matches | 22 T20Is (21 league + 1 final) |
| Competition Format | Round-robin league, top 2 advance to final |
| Match Classification | Full Women’s T20I Status |
| Match Venues | BCA Oval 1 & Oval 2, Gaborone |
| Final Date | April 11, 2026 |
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Teams
| Team | Tournament Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Botswana Women | Host Nation | 2025 runners-up, home ground advantage |
| Sierra Leone Women | Defending Champions | Beat Botswana in 2025 final |
| Malawi Women | ICC Africa Associate | Regular participants in African tournaments |
| Zambia Women | ICC Africa Associate | Emerging southern African side |
| Lesotho Women | ICC Africa Associate | First Kalahari tournament appearance |
| Mozambique Women | ICC Africa Associate | Returning from 2025 edition |
| Brazil Women | ICC Americas Associate | Historic first appearance in Africa-hosted event |
Brazil Women make tournament history as the first team from outside Africa to compete. Their inclusion transforms the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament into a true international event. Lesotho Women debut after missing the inaugural editions.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Fixtures
The tournament schedule features four matches daily across both ovals. Morning sessions start at 1:00 PM IST (9:30 AM local time). Afternoon matches begin at 5:30 PM IST (2:00 PM local time). All times are confirmed for Indian cricket fans and global audiences.
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 tournament format keeps things simple and competitive. All seven teams play each other once in a single round-robin. This creates 21 league-stage matches before the final.
Points accumulate through wins, ties, and no results. Teams earn two points for victories, one point for tied or abandoned matches, and zero for losses. Standard T20I cricket rules apply throughout.
The top two teams on the points table advance to the final on April 11. No semi-finals exist in this format. The final determines the champion.
Every match carries weight. Drop two games early, and qualification becomes tough. The format rewards teams that perform consistently across all six league fixtures.
All matches contribute to ICC Women’s T20I rankings. Teams gain or lose rating points based on results. Strong performances help with World Cup qualification pathways down the line.
Venue: Botswana Cricket Association Grounds, Gaborone
Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 and Oval 2 host the entire tournament.
Both venues sit within the same cricket complex in Gaborone. The grounds operate simultaneously but remain separate facilities.
The BCA has developed these ovals into quality cricket venues over recent years.
They hosted the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Division 2 Qualifier in July 2025. Eight nations competed across both grounds during that event.
The 2025 Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament also took place here with four teams. The BCA demonstrated strong organizational capability during both events.
Both ovals meet international T20I standards. The grounds provide quality pitches suitable for competitive cricket.
April weather in Gaborone brings consistent sunny conditions. Rain rarely impacts play during this period, making it ideal for tournament cricket.
Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 Live Streaming Platforms: Apps and Sites
Official broadcast partners have not been confirmed yet. Based on previous tournament coverage, these platforms are likely options:
- FanCode
FanCode serves as the primary platform for Indian cricket fans watching associate tournaments. The service previously streamed African women’s cricket events.
Download the FanCode app for mobile viewing. Check the platform in early April for confirmed live streaming availability and match schedules.
- ICC.tv
ICC.tv provides global coverage for ICC-sanctioned tournaments. Since all Kalahari matches carry official T20I status, ICC coverage becomes more likely.
Visit ICC.tv to verify regional streaming availability. Some countries face geo-restrictions based on broadcasting rights.
- BCA Social Media
The Botswana Cricket Association may offer free live streams through Facebook, YouTube, or Twitter. Associate cricket boards commonly use social platforms for direct fan engagement.
Follow BCA official accounts for tournament updates and match-day streaming links. Social media often provides the most accessible viewing option for global fans.
Broadcast confirmations typically arrive one week before the tournament begins. Check all platforms as April 6 approaches.
FAQs
- When does the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 take place?
The tournament runs from April 6 to 11, 2026, across six days in Gaborone, Botswana.
- Which teams are participating in the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026?
Seven teams compete: Botswana, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Brazil.
- Who won the 2025 edition?
Sierra Leone Women won the 2025 Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament after defeating Botswana in the final.
- Where can I watch the Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026?
Likely streaming options include FanCode (India), ICC.tv (global), and BCA social media channels. Confirm availability closer to April 6.
- What format does the tournament use?
The tournament uses a single round-robin format where all teams play each other once. The top two teams qualify for the final.
- Which venue hosts the matches?
All 22 matches take place at BCA Oval 1 and Oval 2 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Conclusion:
The Kalahari Women’s T20I Tournament 2026 delivers six days of competitive women’s cricket starting April 6.
Seven nations compete for the title across 22 T20I matches. Defending champions Sierra Leone Women face a strong challenge from host nation Botswana Women playing on home soil.
Brazil Women bring a historic cross-continental element to the tournament. Lesotho Women make their debut appearance. The expanded field creates the most competitive edition yet.
Every match counts toward ICC rankings with qualification points at stake. Mark your calendar for April 6 to 11, 2026, for quality African women’s T20I cricket from Gaborone.
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