The Italian Cricket Federation has announced the 15-player squad that will represent the national women's team at the ICC Challenge Trophy, set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from 12 April to 2 May 2026.

The ICC Women's Challenge Trophy is a new three three-tier development pathway designed to offer high-performance exposure to emerging nations.

The Women's Challenge trophy will feature the top team from the five ICC development regions, Africa, Americas, Asia, East Asia Pacific and Europe, who are not part of the Emerging Nations Trophy, identified through their regional qualifying events (the just concluded regional Qualifiers towards 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup).

The teams competing based on the criteria and positioning of teams in Emerging Nations, Challenge Trophy participants will be United States of America (USA) from the Americas Qualifier, Nepal from Asia Qualifier, Italy from European Qualifier, Vanuatu from East Asia-Pacific Qualifier and host’s Rwanda from the Africa Qualifier.

The tournament marks one of the most important occasions in the international calendar for Italian women's cricket, and the squad which was updated following a number of players being unavailable.

Technical Manager Sean Pieter Trouw will lead the group, taking his first major assignment in  building a structured and sustainable pathway for the women's game in Italy and has helped carefully assemble the squad that gives Italy the best possible chance of competing at the highest level.

Emilia Louise Bartram will captain the side with Dilaisha Rishani Fernando Nanayakkara Mahaguruge as vice-captain. Ishara Upeka Jayamanage and Methnara Rathnayake Mudiyanselage will both provide wicketkeeping options for the squad.

Italy Squad for ICC Challenge Trophy

Emilia Louise Bartram (C), Alexia Kontopirakis, Dilaisha Rishani Fernando Nanayakkara Mahaguruge, Emma Charlotte Bridgeman Moore, Himanshi Akarsha Daluwatta Patabendige, Ilenia Elisa Janet Sims, Ishara Upeka Jayamanage, Kumudu Niranjala Peddrick Jansa Bolonghe, Methnara Rathnayake Mudiyanselage, Pasindi Sewmini Kanankege, Sadalee Vasana Fernando Malwatta Liyanage, Sonia Toffoleto, Tharushi Amaya Bandara Rajapaksha Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage, Thilini Chathurika Mahamalage Fernando