EAST LONDON: 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 depart 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 every out after 36.3 overs.
After being establish 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) assign 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 change room, Hoque teamed up with M. Khatun for another vital stand to seize the visitors into three figures in the 20th over before another vital 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 puny to behind 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 aid hold her side close to the 200-run trace.
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 disappear, young all-rounder Shorna Akter (28*) then joined the in-form M. Khatun in the middle as the duo combined to remarkable 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 swiftly 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 descend for the Proteas with Rabeya Khan (2/24) joining the wicket-taking party for the visitors. Two overs later, things went from rotten 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 battle and spirit with the bat through contributions from Marx (35), Sinalo Jafta (11) and Masabata Klaas (7), South Africa’s chase came to an terminate 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.
Proteas Women ODI Squad – Inbound Tour vs Bangladesh:
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans) (Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder* (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (Western Province), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (Western Province)
Results – South Africa Inbound Tour vs Bangladesh 2023/24:
T20II Series
1st T20I – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (Sunday, 03 December)
Bangladesh beat South Africa by 13 runs
Bangladesh: 149/2 after 20 overs; M. Khatun 62* (59), N. Sultana 34* (21); N. Shangase 1/13, E. Marx 1/25
South Africa: 136/8 after 20 overs; A. Bosch 67 (49), T. Brits 30 (26); S. Akter 5/28, R. Khan 1/17
2nd T20I – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (Wednesday, 06 December)
No result
3rd T20I – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (Friday, 08 December)
South Africa beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets
Bangladesh: 94/6 after 20 overs; L. Mondal 42 (62), S. Akter 23 (16); A. Hlubi 2/15, M. Klaas 2/23
South Africa: 95/2 after 15.2 overs; L. Wolvaardt 49* (49), S. Luus 15* (22); S. Khatun 1/10, M. Akter 1/14
ODI Series
1st ODI – Buffalo Park, East London (Saturday, 16 December)
Result
Bangladesh: 250/3 after 50 overs; S. Khatun 91* (100). N. Sultana 38 (48); N. Mlaba 1/37, E. Marx 1/43
South Africa: 131 every out after 36.3 overs; E. Marx (35), S. Luus (31); N. Akter 3/33, F. Khatun 2/16
Fixtures – South Africa Inbound Tour vs Bangladesh 2023/24
One-Day International Series – ICC Women’s Championship:
Wednesday, 20 December @ 14h00 SAST
2nd ODI – South Africa vs Bangladesh (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
Saturday, 23 December @ 14h00 SAST
3rd ODI – South Africa vs Bangladesh (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
Source: cricket.co.za
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