DUBAI: A disciplined bowling effort, followed by Tazmin Brits’ anchoring knock steered South Africa to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the 16th match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana’s decision to bat first did not prove beneficial as her side could accumulate 106/3 in their set of 20 overs.
The Asian side had a shaky start to their innings as they lost Dilara Akter (0) on just the second delivery of the innings.
Following the early hiccup, Sobhana Mostary joined opening batter Shathi Rani in the middle.
The duo batted cautiously amid their 36-run partnership for the second wicket until Annerie Dercksen dismissed Rani in the eighth over.
Shathi Rani played a scratchy 19-run knock from 30 deliveries with the help of two boundaries including a six.
Bangladesh continued to bat defensively after Rani’s dismissal as the 45-run partnership between skipper Nigar Sultana and Mostary came from 56 balls.
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Mostary remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh with a 43-ball 38 while Sultana carried her bat all the way through and returned unbeaten with a 38-ball 32.
For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen and Marizanne Kapp took one wicket apiece.
Chasing a modest 107-run target, South Africa comfortably knocked the winning runs on the second delivery of the 18th over.
The Proteas had a shaky start to the pursuit as they lost their captain Laura Wolvaardt in the third over with just 23 runs on the board.
Wolvaardt’s dismissal, however, did not bother South Africa much as Brits and Anneke Bosch recorded a match-defining second-wicket stand, which yielded 53 runs at a brisk rate before both both fell in quick succession.
Brits remained the top-scorer for South Africa with a 41-ball 42, laced with five boundaries, while Bosch made a run-a-ball 25.
Later, Marizanne Kapp (13*) and Chloe Tryon (14*) guided South Africa home with a sensible unbeaten 26-run partnership.
Fahima Khatun was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, picking up two wickets, while Ritu Moni made one scalp.
The seven-wicket victory put South Africa at the top of Group B standings of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with six points in four matches while Bangladesh remained at fourth with two points in as many matches.
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