Kigali, April 17 -- Kigali is set to witness a significant step forward in the growth of women's cricket as the International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the inaugural Women's T20I Challenge Trophy, set to start on April 18 in Rwanda.

The five-team tournament will open with hosts Rwanda taking on Italy, while Nepal face the United States on the same day. Vanuatu, the fifth side in the competition, will begin their campaign on April 19 against Rwanda after a first-day bye. Matches will be played across two adjoining grounds at the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.

Designed as a double round-robin event, the tournament will run until May 2, offering participating teams a valuable platform to gain competitive international exposure, according to...