Bangladesh women sealed a memorable victory, by 119 runs, marking their first ODI win against South Africa since 2017, at Buffalo Park, East London on Saturday.
An amalgamation of an unbeaten half-century from Murshida Khatun and a team effort from the bowlers helped Bangladesh seal a famous 119-run triumph over the Proteas Women in the first One-Day International (ODI) in East London on Saturday to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Player of the Match M. Khatun produced a career-best innings of 91* off 100 deliveries, including 12 fours, to guide Bangladesh to an imposing total of 250/3 before spinner Nahida Akter claimed leading figures of three for 33 alongside her fellow bowlers to restrict South Africa to 131 all out after 36.3 overs.
After being put into bat by the home side following the toss, Bangladesh made the most of their opportunity as openers Shamima Sultana (34) and Fargana Hoque (35) put together a first-wicket partnership worth 66 runs within 15 overs before debutant Eliz-Mari Marx (1/43) made the breakthrough for her first ODI wicket.
With S. Sultana back in the changeroom, Hoque teamed up with M. Khatun for another vital stand to take the visitors into three figures in the 20th over before another important wicket for South Africa, with Delmi Tucker (1/43) picking up the scalp of Hoque to leave the Tigresses 110/2 in the 27th over.
The loss of Hoque did little to slow down the away side as M. Khatun and skipper Nigar Sultana (38) added another 50-run stand to the scoreboard, with M, Khatun raising her bat for a third career fifty to help take her side close to the 200-run mark.
With the Bangladeshi tails up at the crease, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/37) broke the all-important partnership in the 42nd over, producing a caught and bowled to see the back of N. Sultana left the subcontinent side on 190/3.
With less than 10 overs to go, young all-rounder Shorna Akter (28*) then joined the in-form M. Khatun in the middle as the duo combined to great effect to add 60 more runs to the total as Bangladesh eventually finished on a competitive 250/3 in their allotted 50 overs.
In the second innings, South Africa’s chase got off to an unfavourable start as top-order batters Laura Wolvaardt (5) and Tazmin Brits (4) fell to spinner Sultana Khatun (2/32) and fast bowler Marufa Akter (1/19) within the first three overs.
Despite a brief reprieve for South Africa, with Anneke Bosch (16) and Suné Luus (31) adding 41 runs for the third wicket, N. Akter picked up two wickets to rock the South Africans, removing both batters in quick succession to leave them reeling on 63/4 in the 17th over.
With the host nation still needing 188 runs for victory, Nadine de Klerk (1) was the next wicket to fall for the Proteas with Rabeya Khan (2/24) joining the wicket-taking party for the visitors. Two overs later, things went from bad to worse for South Africa as Tucker (14) became the sixth batter to be dismissed - falling to Khan.
Although the hosts’ lower order showed commendable fight and spirit with the bat through contributions from Marx (35), Sinalo Jafta (11) and Masabata Klaas (7), South Africa’s chase came to an end on 131 all-out as Bangladesh wrapped up the victory with 13.3 overs remaining.
The second ODI begins on Wednesday, 20 December from 14h00 at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.
Match Summary
South Africa Women 131/10 (36.3 ov)
Bangladesh Women 250/3 (50 ov)
Bangladesh Women won by 119 runs.
Match Stats
Bangladesh Women Fall of wickets: 1-66 (Shamima Sultana - 14.2 ov), 2-110 (Fargana Hoque - 26.4 ov), 3-190 (Nigar Sultana - 41.1 ov)
South Africa Women Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Laura Wolvaardt - 1.4 ov), 2-9 (Tazmin Brits - 2.1 ov), 3-50 (Anneke Bosch - 12.2 ov), 4-63 (Sune Luus - 16.3 ov), 5-64 (Nadine de Klerk - 17.1 ov), 6-76 (Delmi Tucker - 19.3 ov), 7-95 (Sinalo Jafta - 26.4 ov), 8-95 (Nonkululeko Mlaba - 26.5 ov), 9-131 (Masabata Klaas - 35.4 ov), 10-131 (Eliz Mari Marx - 36.3 ov)
Playing XIs
South Africa Women:
Sinalo Jafta(WK)
Laura Wolvaardt(C)
Sune Luus
Tazmin Brits
Anneke Bosch
Nadine de Klerk
Delmi Tucker
Eliz Mari Marx
Ayabonga Khaka
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Masabata Klaas
Bangladesh Women:
Nigar Sultana(WK/C)
Shamima Sultana
Fargana Hoque
Murshida Khatun
Shorna Akter
Fahima Khatun
Ritu Moni
Sultana Khatun
Nahida Akter
Rabeya Khan
Marufa Akter
Match Details:
Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023 12:00
Venue: Buffalo Park, East London
Toss: South Africa Women elected to bowl
Officials Umpires: Abdoellah Steenkamp (South Africa) Lauren Agenbag (South Africa) Kerrin Klaaste (South Africa TV)
Match Referee: Shandre Fritz (South Africa)
Source: CricketWorld.com
BDST: 1108 HRS, DEC 17, 2023
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