Bangladesh Defeat 149 for 2 (Murshida 62*, Nigar 34*). South Africa 136 for 8 (Bosch 67, Britts 30, Shorna 5-28) by 13 runs
Sixteen-year-old Shorna Akhtar added a glorious chapter to Bangladesh women’s cricket when she stunned South Africa in the first T20 in Benoni. Defending 149, the Lexpin-bowling all-rounder took his debut for 5 to spark a middle-order collapse in the last five overs as South Africa slipped from 123 for 3 to 136 for 8. This is the second occasion that Bangladesh have been bowled out. 12 T20 matches against Africa. South Africa have won their last 10 in a row.
South Africa were in the game for most of the chase, thanks to Anneke Bosh. He is usually no. 3, but Tasmin has been promoted to open with Brits in the absence of regular opener and newly appointed captain Laura Wollward, who missed the opener due to Saturday’s WBBL final. Bosh hit 67 off 49 balls and followed up with a brisk 69 with Brits hitting 30 off 26 balls.
South Africa needed 41 off the last 24 balls, with Bosh still batting and 7 wickets in hand, but the pendulum swung Bangladesh’s way when Shorna struck twice in the 18th over; He first dismissed Bhosh and then stumped Nondumiso Shankas to Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana for two runs. South Africa needed 26 off the last 12 balls.
In the next over, Nahida Akhter dismissed debutant Elise-Marie Marks and conceded just two runs. 24 off six balls was always a tall order for the lower order and that changed as Shorna took 5 for 28 with two more in the final over.
Earlier, Murshida Katoon scored an unbeaten 62 and Nigar scored 34 off 21 runs. The duo put on 45 runs in the last four overs, which eventually proved too much for South Africa.
Shamima Sultana was dismissed for 24 off one ball and Sobana Mostari was dismissed for 16 from 17 balls, Bangladesh needed one to go forward and Nigar stepped up to the challenge. His knock consisted of 6 fours, while Murshida, who played as the anchor, hit 6 fours and a six in his 59-ball innings.
Inexperience in South Africa’s bowling – Marizanne Cup rested, pacer Ayabongka Kaka and all-rounders Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk injured – only Marks impressed with 4-0-25-1, and Bangladesh were exposed as no bowling trickled down. Six runs from an over.
The final two T20Is will be played in Kimberley on December 6 and 8 before the three-match ODI series begins in East London on December 16.
