The Proteas Women suffered a 119-run defeat to Bangladesh in the first ODI in East London on Saturday.

Player of the Match Murshida Khatun produced a career-best 91* off 100 balls, including 12 fours, to guide Bangladesh to 250-3 before spinner Nahida Akter claimed 3-33 to help bowl South Africa out for 131 in 36.3 overs.

After being put into bat, Bangladesh openers Shamima Sultana (34) and Fargana Hoque (35) put together a partnership worth 66 runs in 15 overs before Proteas debutant Eliz-Mari Marx dismissed the former.

Hoque and Khatun took the visitors into three figures in the 20th over before Delmi Tucker picked up Hoque’s wicket.

However, that did little to slow down the visitors as Khatun and captain Nigar Sultana (38) added another 50 runs to the total.

Proteas left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba broke the partnership in the 42nd over, producing a caught and bowled to see the back of Sultana, but young all-rounder Shorna Akter (28*) and Khatun then combined to great effect for the visitors.

South Africa made a poor start to their run chase with captain Laura Wolvaardt (five) and Tazmin Brits (four) falling to spinner Sultana Khatun (2-32) and fast bowler Marufa Akter respectively.

Anneke Bosch (16) and Suné Luus (31) added 41 runs for the third wicket, before Nahida Akter removed both batters in quick succession to leave the Proteas reeling on 63-4 in the 17th over.

Nadine de Klerk (one) and Tucker (14) also went cheaply and while the lower order – Marx (35), Sinalo Jafta (11) and Masabata Klaas (seven) – showed some fight, Bangladesh wrapped up the victory with 13.3 overs remaining.

The second ODI begins on Wednesday in Potchefstroom.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images