Proteas Women win T20 series
South Africa sealed the deal in Bangladesh when they beat the hosts by 16 runs to claim the T20 series 2-1 in Mirpur on Friday. They made history by being the first women's team to have a double series win in the sub-continent after winning the ODI series 2-1 last week.
Bangladesh won the toss in a low-scoring match and elected to field first in front of a crowd of almost 15 000 spectators. Shuktara Rhaman and Khadija Tul Kubra took three wickets each to restrict South Africa to 85 all out. Mignon du Preez was the top scorer with 50 from 48 balls and Marizanne Kapp did well to add 21 vital runs off 24 balls.
Team coach, Yashin Ebrahim-Hassen said: “We started off badly; we put up a sub-standard batting performance on a sub-standard pitch but what a brilliant reply from our team to put Bangladesh on the back foot. It was an excellent execution of our game plan and the team handled themselves perfectly. I'm a very happy coach today.”
In a tough situation where the entire team needed to defend the very modest total, South Africa shone in adversity, Dané van Niekerk took the wickets of the opening pair for nine runs to be the pick of the bowlers. Marcia Letsoalo contributed to the tight bowling and disciplined fielding, reducing the hosts to 33/3 when she dismissed Salma Khatun for seven at the end of the 11th over.
Bangladesh's top scorer, Farzana Haque, lost her wicket for 23 off 31 balls when she was caught by substitute Shandré Fritz off Sunette Loubser at the start of the 16th over. Three balls later Rahman was dismissed for eight, bowled by Kapp and, an over later, Ritu Moni was run out by Alison Hodgkinson for three.
Bangladesh were 68/7 with just four balls left of the game when they lost Sanjida Islam for five. They could not recover and South Africa continued their ruthless performance to the last second.
Mignon du Preez is delighted by her team's performance.
"I'm actually lost for words at the moment. To play in front of so many people who supported their side all the way and for us to still win the match is something special. The team showed that dog fight that SA are known for and played amazing cricket while supporting one another all the way. I'm a very proud captain."
Shabnim Ismail and Sunette Loubser were named the players of the series.
The team will stay on in Bangladesh for a camp to further prepare for the upcoming ICC Women’s World T20. They will face hosts Sri Lanka in the opening match on 26 September.
