The Proteas beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the third and final women’s T20I in Kimberley on Friday.

The result saw the series shared 1-1 after Bangladesh won the first match and the second was rained out.

Proteas debutant and Player of the Match Ayanda Hlubi took 2-15 to help restrict Bangladesh to 94-6, before captain Laura Wolvaardt scored 49* off 49 deliveries to seal the win with 4.4 overs to spare.

After South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first, 19-year-old Hlubi struck twice in two balls in her first over of international cricket, removing Murshida Khatun (two) and Sobhana Mostary (nought), caught behind and at slip, respectively.

Masabata Klaas (2-23) then had Shamima Sultana (eight) caught in the deep to leave the visitors reeling on 17-3 in the sixth over.

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana (11) and Lata Mondal (42) added 29 runs for the fourth wicket before all-rounder Delmi Tucker (1-18) claimed the wicket of Sultana.

Mondal and Shorna Akter (23) produced an innings-high 46-run partnership to help Bangladesh edge closer to the 100-run mark but two quick wickets fell in the final over, including a run-out of Akter and a second wicket for Klaas.

The Proteas made a positive start to the run chase as Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits (17) partnered up for 35 runs before the latter fell in the fifth over. Bangladesh struck again soon after as Anneke Bosch (nine) was sent back to the dugout to leave South Africa 52-2 after eight overs.

But Bosch’s wicket was the last to fall for the hosts as Wolvaardt and Suné Luus (15*) showed their experience and maturity to see the innings through with an undefeated 43-run stand.

Marufa Akter (1-14) and Shorifa Khatun (1-10) were the only wicket-takers for Bangladesh, with youngster Shorna Akter named the Player of the Series for her five wickets.

The ODI series will take place from 16-23 December.

Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images