Vanuatu Women vs Italy Women - April 21, 2026

In a closely contested match at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, Italy Women emerged victorious over Vanuatu Women by 4 wickets. Ilenia Sims was the standout performer, anchoring the Italian chase with a vital half-century, while Vanessa Vira shone with the ball for Vanuatu.

Match Summary

Italy Women won the toss and opted to bowl first. Vanuatu Women posted a total of 114/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Nasimana Navaika was the top scorer for Vanuatu with 36 runs. For Italy, Thilini Fernando and Pasindi Kanankege picked up crucial wickets to restrict Vanuatu to a modest total. In response, Italy Women chased down the target in 19.3 overs, with Ilenia Sims scoring an unbeaten 61 runs off 51 balls. Vanessa Vira impressed with her bowling performance, taking two key wickets.

Detailed Narrative

Vanuatu Women started their innings with Rachel Andrew and Valenta Langiatu at the crease. However, they struggled to build significant partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Rachel Andrew was run out early for 14 runs, and Valenta Langiatu followed soon after with a score of 20, dismissed lbw by Kumudu Peddrick. The innings was steadied somewhat by Nasimana Navaika, who top-scored with 36 runs before being trapped lbw by Pasindi Kanankege. Despite the loss of regular wickets, Vanuatu managed to reach a total of 114/6 in their 20 overs.

On the bowling front for Italy, Thilini Fernando was economical with figures of 1/15 in her four overs, while Kumudu Peddrick and Pasindi Kanankege each took one wicket to keep Vanuatu's scoring in check.

In their chase, Italy Women got off to a shaky start with early wickets falling to Vanessa Vira's impressive bowling. Methnara Rathnayake and Alexia Kontopirakis were both dismissed cheaply by Vira, who ended with figures of 2/13 from her four overs. However, Ilenia Sims held the innings together with a crucial knock of 61 not out, hitting nine boundaries in her innings. Despite losing partners at regular intervals due to some tight fielding and run-outs orchestrated by Mahina Tarimiala, Sims ensured that Italy crossed the finish line.

The match concluded with Italy Women reaching their target of 115 with three balls to spare. Ilenia Sims's half-century was instrumental in securing victory for her team and highlighted her as a pivotal player in this encounter.

Overall, it was an exciting match where both teams displayed commendable performances, but it was Italy Women who held their nerve to clinch the win in this ICC Women's T20I Challenge Trophy match.