S Africa (W) wins by 8 wickets in 3rd T20 to level series against Bangladesh (W)

The Proteas Women scored an impressive eight-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the third and final T20 International (T20I) to square the series 1-1 in Kimberley on Friday. Captain Laura Wolvaardt and debutant Ayanda Hlubi played major roles with bat and ball. Despite a contribution from Latal Mondal (42 off 62 balls; 2 fours), Hlubi’s outstanding figures of two for 15 helped the home team restrict Bangladesh to 94/6. Wolvaardt then scored an undefeated 49* off 49 deliveries, including five fours, to lead South Africa to 95/2 and seal the victory with 4.4 overs remaining.

South Africa had a great start to the match after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. 19-year-old Hlubi removed Murshida Khatun (2) and Sobhana Mostary (0), caught behind and at slip, respectively, with two strikes in her opening over of international cricket.

The Proteas immediately took advantage of the momentum, as Shamima Sultana (8) was caught in the deep to leave the visitors reeling at 17/3 in the sixth over, and Masabata Klaas (2/23) took the wicket for the hosts’ third scalp of the day.

Bangladesh needed to rebuild, so captain Nigar Sultana (11) and all-rounder Delmi Tucker (1/18) teamed up at the crease and put on a crucial 29-run partnership for the fourth wicket. With the away team on 46/4, Tucker’s disciplined bowling paid off as she removed Sultana from the game.

With less than six overs remaining, Mondal and Shorna Akter (23) shared an innings-high 46 runs to help Bangladesh get closer to 100 runs. Two quick wickets fell in the last over, Akter being run out and Klaas taking the second wicket, bringing the subcontinent country down to 94/6 after 20 overs.

The Proteas Women got off to a good start in the midst of the chase when Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (17) combined for 35 runs for the first wicket before the latter was removed in the fifth over. After eight overs, Bangladesh made another breakthrough when Anneke Bosch (9) was sent to the dugout, leaving South Africa at 52/2.

As Wolvaardt and Suné Luus (15*) shown their expertise and maturity to take the innings through with an unbeaten 43-run partnership to help South Africa tie the three-match series in the fifteenth over, Bosch’s wicket was the last to fall for the home team.

Bangladesh’s lone wicket-takers were Marufa Akter (1/14) and Shorifa Khatun (1/10), with rookie Shorna Akter winning Player of the Series for her five wickets in the three games.

First Innings

Bangladesh Women Score – 94/6 in 20.0 overs

• Bangladesh Women batting performance
• Lata Mondal 42(62)
• Shorna Akter 23(16)

• South Africa Women bowling figures
• Ayanda Hlubi 4-15-2
• Masabata Klaas 4-23-2

Second Innings

South Africa Women Score – 95/2 in 15.2 overs

• South Africa Women batting performance
  
• Laura Wolvaardt 49(49)
  
• Tazmin Brits 17(13)

• Bangladesh Women bowling figures
  
• Shorifa Khatun 2-10-1
  
• Marufa Akter 2.2-14-1

Bangladesh and the hosts will square off in a three-match ODI series after the T20s, which will begin on December 16 at Buffalo Park in East London. On December 12, they will have a tour match at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, where they could get ready for the 50-over format. To wrap off their trip of South Africa, they will next go to Potchefstroom for the second ODI before making their way back to Benoni for the third and final game.