The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026 is one of the most exciting regional cricket events on the African continent this year.
Taking place from May 23 to May 30, 2026, in Gaborone, Botswana, this tournament features seven nations fighting for qualification glory across 21 T20 matches. Whether you are a die-hard cricket fan or a casual follower of African cricket, here is everything you need to know.
What Is the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier is a stepping stone tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It determines which African teams will advance through the qualification pathway for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Group A is being played in a full round-robin format, meaning every team faces every other team once across the eight-day window, making each match absolutely vital.
Participating Teams
Seven nations are competing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026:
- Botswana (host nation)
- Cameroon
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Mali
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
Kenya and Rwanda have emerged as the early frontrunners, while Botswana have been impressive playing on home soil.
Botswana Cricket Association Oval, Gaborone Venue
All 21 matches are being played at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval in Gaborone, Botswana, across two pitches:
| Ground | Usage |
|---|---|
| BCA Oval 1 | Primary ground for marquee fixtures |
| BCA Oval 2 | Secondary ground running simultaneous matches |
Gaborone’s warm, dry climate in late May has produced superb batting conditions, as evidenced by Rwanda’s extraordinary 288-2 against Ivory Coast, among the highest T20 totals ever recorded in African qualifier cricket.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026 Full Match Schedule
Matches are played in two daily time slots, 9:30 AM local time (7:30 AM GMT) and 1:50 PM local time (11:50 AM GMT).
| Match | Date | Teams | Result / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | May 23 | Cameroon vs Rwanda | Rwanda won by 7 wkts |
| 2nd | May 23 | Botswana vs Sierra Leone | Botswana won by 70 runs |
| 3rd | May 23 | Kenya vs Mali | Kenya won by 172 runs |
| 4th | May 24 | Rwanda vs Ivory Coast | Rwanda won by 271 runs |
| 5th | May 24 | Mali vs Botswana | Botswana won by 10 wkts |
| 6th | May 24 | Sierra Leone vs Cameroon | Cameroon won by 1 wkt |
| 7th | May 25 | Kenya vs Rwanda | Today — 9:30 AM local |
| 8th | May 25 | Botswana vs Cameroon | Today — 9:30 AM local |
| 9th | May 25 | Ivory Coast vs Mali | Today — 1:50 PM local |
| 10th | May 26 | Mali vs Rwanda | May 26 |
| 11th | May 26 | Kenya vs Sierra Leone | May 26 |
| 12th | May 26 | Cameroon vs Ivory Coast | May 26 |
| 13th | May 28 | Botswana vs Ivory Coast | May 28 |
| 14th | May 28 | Rwanda vs Sierra Leone | May 28 |
| 15th | May 28 | Cameroon vs Kenya | May 28 |
| 16th | May 29 | Cameroon vs Mali | May 29 |
| 17th | May 29 | Ivory Coast vs Sierra Leone | May 29 |
| 18th | May 29 | Botswana vs Kenya | May 29 |
| 19th | May 30 | Mali vs Sierra Leone | May 30 |
| 20th | May 30 | Ivory Coast vs Kenya | May 30 |
| 21st | May 30 | Botswana vs Rwanda | May 30 |
Teams & Squads Overview
Official squad lists are managed by the ICC and respective national cricket boards. Here is a brief profile of the key teams:
Kenya are the most experienced side in the group, with a long history in African cricket and ICC events. They have been dominant so far, putting up 247-5 against Mali in their opening match.
Rwanda have been the tournament’s biggest surprise package, posting jaw-dropping totals and winning with massive margins. Their 288-2 against Ivory Coast signals a team that is firing on all cylinders.
Botswana, as host nation, have used home advantage brilliantly, winning both opening matches including a 10-wicket demolition of Mali.
Cameroon showed tremendous character in their nail-biting 1-wicket win over Sierra Leone, proving they are capable of competing under pressure.
Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Mali are battling to find their footing but will look to improve as the tournament progresses.
Early Standout Performances
The opening two days have already served up some remarkable cricket moments:
- Rwanda scored 288-2 in 20 overs against Ivory Coast, a stunning team batting display
- Kenya dismissed Mali for just 75 and chased it down comfortably, winning by 172 runs
- Botswana beat Mali in only 2.2 overs while chasing 25, winning by 10 wickets
- Cameroon survived a scare to beat Sierra Leone (who made just 64) by a single wicket in 15.4 overs
Live Streaming the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026 – How to Watch
Fans around the world can follow the action through several platforms:
- ICC Official Website & App — Live scores, match centre, and ball-by-ball updates at icc-cricket.com
- FanCode — A likely streaming option for cricket fans in India and South Asia
- Willow TV — May carry coverage for audiences in North America
- Regional Broadcasters — Fans in Kenya, Rwanda, and Botswana should check local TV listings for terrestrial and satellite coverage
- ESPNcricinfo & Cricbuzz — Real-time live scores and commentary available throughout the tournament
Tickets & How to Attend
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026 is a regional event hosted at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval. Here is what you need to know about attending:
- Entry is expected to be free or low-cost for local fans, in line with similar ICC qualifier events
- No major online ticketing platform has been officially confirmed, tickets are likely sold at the gate on matchdays
- Two matches are played on most days, offering excellent value for spectators
- Match times start as early as 9:30 AM local time, so plan to arrive early
- For the latest ticket and access information, contact the Botswana Cricket Association directly
The Path to the T20 World Cup Runs Through Gaborone
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Africa Qualifier Group A 2026 is far more than a regional formality. The results here feed directly into the broader ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualification pathway.
For nations like Kenya and Rwanda, this is a genuine opportunity to represent Africa on the global stage. For emerging cricket nations like Mali, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone, every match is an invaluable experience that builds the long-term foundation of cricket on the continent.
The tournament concludes on May 30, 2026, with the blockbuster final-day fixture of Botswana vs Rwanda, a match that could well decide the Group A standings and determine who advances in the qualification journey.
