The USA Women’s National Team underlined their growing status in international cricket with a dominant campaign that saw them lift the inaugural ICC Women’s T20I Challenge Trophy at Gahanga International Cricket Stadium.
The tournament brought together five emerging nations, USA, Rwanda, Nepal, Italy, and Vanuatu, for 20 fiercely contested matches in Kigali.
The USA Women finished at the summit of the table with 13 points at a commanding net run rate of +2.353. Despite a nail-biting one-run loss to the Rwandan hosts, the Americans remained undeterred, winning six of their eight fixtures.
Chetna Pagydyala: The tournament’s leading run-scorer amassed 261 runs (avg 37.28), including a blistering unbeaten 81*.
Sainavi Kambalapalli: The spearhead of the bowling attack, Kambalapalli took 10 wickets, highlighted by a devastating 3/9 spell against Italy.
The host nation, Rwanda, delighted local fans by finishing second. Their crowning achievement was handed the eventual champions their only defeat of the tourney. Merville Uwase (124 runs) and Henriette Ishimwe (9 wickets) were the architects of the Rwandan success.
Nepal secured third place with 8 points, bolstered by the tournament’s most lethal individual bowling performance. Kabita Kunwar stunned spectators by taking 6 wickets for just 5 runs against Vanuatu, finishing with 14 wickets overall. Samjhana Khadka led the batting charts for Nepal with 152 runs.
While Italy and Vanuatu finished in the bottom half of the table, the competition remained fierce until the final ball.
Tournament Statistics at a Glance
Country
Rank
Key Player
Notable Stat
USA
1st
Chetna Pagydyala
261 Total Runs
Rwanda
2nd
Henriette Ishimwe
9 Wickets (4.65 econ)
Nepal
3rd
Kabita Kunwar
6/5 Best Bowling Figures
Italy
4th
Alexia Kontopirakis
141 Total Runs
Vanuatu
5th
Vanessa Vira
15 Total Wickets
“This first edition demonstrated the increasing depth and competitiveness of the women’s game,” noted tournament officials. “It is a noteworthy milestone for Associate Member cricket.”
As the USA team lifts the trophy in Kigali, the message is clear: the gap between the traditional powers and the rising nations is closing, one wicket at a time.
Egypt’s Al Ahly SC were crowned champions of the 2026 CAVB Men’s Club Championship after defeating Rwanda’s Police VC in straight sets, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-22).
The final of the 47th edition of Africa’s top men’s club volleyball tournament was played on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at BK Arena in Kigali.
With the victory, Al Ahly SC secured a record-extending 17th continental title. Police VC, meanwhile, also made history by reaching the final for the first time ever, becoming the first Rwandan club to achieve that feat.
Al Ahly controlled the match from start to finish, winning in one hour and 21 minutes. Across the three sets, the Egyptian giants outscored Police VC 75-63.
Police VC’s Elphas Maikuva Makuto finished as the match’s top scorer with 17 points, while Al Ahly’s Jose Israel Masso Alvarez added 13 points for the champions.
Over the course of the tournament, Makuto scored an impressive 141 points, while Masso Alvarez registered 78.
During the 10-day competition held in Rwanda, Police VC became the only team to push Al Ahly past the 20-point mark in a single set. Al Ahly ended the tournament unbeaten, without dropping either a match or a set.
Rwanda also made history by hosting the CAVB Men’s Club Championship for the first time, and the home teams delivered impressive performances. Two of the four Rwandan clubs that participated finished among the top three.
REG VC claimed third place after beating Egypt’s Petrojet Sporting Club 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17).
The other Rwandan representatives were APR VC, who finished 11th, and Kepler VC, who ended the tournament in seventh place out of the 24 participating teams.
At the end of the competition, eight outstanding players were recognized, including four from Rwandan clubs and three from Egyptian sides.
Among the award winners were REG VC’s Matui Nicholas, named Best Outside Hitter, and Police VC trio Frank Shyaka (Best Middle Blocker), Melly Brian Kiprui (Best Setter), and Irakoze Alain (Best Libero).
Al Ahly players Abdelrahman Elhossiny Eissa (Best Outside Hitter), Abou Abd Elhalim Mohamed (Best Middle Blocker), and Masso Alvarez Jose Israel (Best Opposite) were also honored.
Al Ahly star Abdelrahman Elhossiny Eissa was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The 24-year-old, who stands 1.9 meters tall, scored 60 points during the competition.
Final standings at the 2026 CAVB Men’s Club Championship:
