Match Preview: Malawi Women vs Lesotho Women – ICC Women's T20 World Cup Africa Region Division Two Qualifier 2025

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Time: 08:30 GMT / 13:00 Local Time (Gaborone, Botswana)
Venue: Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1, Gaborone
Format: T20 – Group A Match
Tournament: ICC Women's T20 World Cup Africa Region Division Two Qualifier

Match Overview

As the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Africa Region Division Two Qualifier 2025 gets underway, fans are in for an intriguing encounter between Malawi Women and Lesotho Women. Both teams are vying for a strong start in the tournament, and this match promises to be a competitive affair in the race to qualify for the next stage.

Scheduled for July 23 at 08:30 GMT, the match will be held at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1 in Gaborone, a venue known for its fair and consistent playing conditions. The weather is expected to be favorable for cricket, setting the stage for an open and exciting contest.

Team Insights

Malawi Women

The Malawi Women’s team has shown consistent improvement in recent regional tournaments and is looking to build on that momentum. Their batting unit is balanced, with several middle-order players capable of accelerating the scoring rate. If they can post a competitive total, their bowlers, who have shown composure under pressure, could be a key factor in securing a win.

One of the key players to watch for Malawi is their off-spin all-rounder, who has the ability to impact both with the bat and ball. The team’s strategy will likely revolve around maintaining discipline and exploiting any loose spells from the opposition.

Lesotho Women

Lesotho Women enter the tournament with a strong sense of purpose. They have a well-structured batting lineup and a bowling attack that has shown potential in tight conditions. Their top-order batters have a knack for setting up big totals, and their spinners have been particularly effective in domestic and regional games.

The captain, a left-hand opener, leads by example and is expected to play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the innings. Lesotho’s ability to adapt to different conditions and match situations will be crucial in this encounter.

Key Match-Up

• Malawi’s batting vs Lesotho’s spin attack
• Lesotho’s aggressive openers vs Malawi’s disciplined medium-pacers
• Captaincy and tactical acumen from both sides

Prediction

This match is expected to be a closely contested affair. Both teams have the potential to outplay the other, and the result will likely come down to which side can execute their game plan more effectively. If Malawi can maintain composure in the middle overs and exploit the spin-friendly conditions, they could edge the contest. However, Lesotho's balanced squad and tactical discipline could give them the upper hand as well.

Prediction: Toss-up, but a slight edge to Malawi Women

Conclusion

The clash between Malawi Women and Lesotho Women is set to be a thrilling start to the tournament for Group A. With both teams coming into the match with strong squads and clear objectives, cricket fans in Africa and beyond can look forward to an engaging encounter. The result of this match could set the tone for the rest of the group stage and will be a true test of each team’s readiness for the qualifiers.

Catch the action at 08:30 GMT on July 23, 2025, at Botswana Cricket Association Oval 1.