The Proteas Women defended a total of 127-6 thanks to a Shabnim Ismail three-for which helped claim a 17-run win against Bangladesh in the first T20 in Kimberley.
The Proteas Women got off to a solid start through Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt who got the Proteas to 77-0 before they both lost their wickets in quick succession. Lee scored 46 off 38 balls and Wolvaardt 30 off 22 balls before the floodgates opened.
After Rumana Ahmed took her second by removing Chloe Tryon (six) after Wolvaardt, Khadija Tul Kubra took two to add to her dismissal of Lee, after removing debutant Stacey Lackay (one) and Mignon du Preez (one). The Proteas were then at 86-5 at that point looked in danger but Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus took their side past the 100-run mark.
Kapp managed 11 before losing her wicket and Luus scored an unbeaten 23-ball 28 to help the Proteas to 127-6.
The Proteas managed to squeeze the opposition. Rumana Ahmed (36) and Fargana Hoque (35) were the only batters to contribute to their side’s total. Ismail took 3-11 and was crucial at breaking up the momentum by dismissing Shamima Sultana (five) in the second over, as well as Ahmed and Nigar Sultana (both for ducks) in the 16th over.
At 95-5 after Hoque was dismissed by Masabata Klaas in the 18th over, Bangladesh whithered out only managing 110-5 in 20 overs.
The Proteas Women sealed a 17-run win to go up 1-0 in the three-match series.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
