ICC Women’s CWC 2022 | SA-W vs BAN-W | Proteas edge past debutants after an early scare

In the first game on a doubleheader day on March 5, 2022, the South Africa Women's side beat the Bangladesh Women's side by 32 runs. South Africa were put in to bat by Bangladesh and were bundled out for a mere 207 runs. Chasing this Bangladesh were taken back by Ayabonga Khaka’s terrific spell as they were all-out on 175 runs.

Though there were no fifty-plus scores in the South African batting order they were able to cross the 200-run mark. Laura Wolvaardt was the top scorer with her 52-ball 41. But they were pushed back by the top bowling and fielding effort by their opponents who are debuting in the World Cup.

The Proteas were reduced to 119/5 at one stage but a 71-run stand for the sixth wicket from Marizanne Kapp and Chloe-Lesleigh Tryon squeezed Bangladesh out. The latter 39 (40) did the scoring at a brisk pace, while Kapp 42 (45) did the supporting job pretty well. 

For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna was impressive with the bowl as she took three wickets for just 35 runs in her 10 overs. Experienced Jahanra Alam and Ritu Moni finished with a couple of wickets apiece.

Chasing the target, they started off well as the openers Sharmin Akhter and Shamima Sultana put together 69 runs for the first wicket. Then came Ayabonga Khaka to club wickets in clusters, pushing Bangladesh aback. They lost 6 wickets for just 44 runs in the matter of 15 overs, leaving the innings on 113 for the loss of six wickets.   

The knee injury pushed the skipper to bat down the order but she along with Moni started a fightback which was fairly late, to be honest. They added 53 runs for the seventh wicket. Moni got out at her score of 27 runs from 38 deliveries. 

Later they lost their skipper in the very next over for a run-out. Her contribution was 29 from 59 balls. They eventually bundled out for 175 runs. Kapp took the last wicket to fall but was in some discomfort as she had an injury early on in her right shoulder.

Ayabonga Khaka’s figures of 10-3-32-4 yielded her Player of the Match award. In the process, she achieved a special milestone when she got the wicket of Rumana Ahmed which was her 100th ODI wicket. Masabata Klaas also supported her by taking a couple of wickets.

“It means a lot, I don’t bowl for records and milestones. You can see the joy in my face and I had confidence in myself to do the job. You just need to follow your heart. I was busy focusing on my line and lengths here. They bowled well, put us under pressure. We need to do a lot of things better in the next game,” the Player of the Match said in her post-match interview. 

Brief Scores

South Africa Women- 207 (49.5)

Marizanne Kapp - 42 (45), Fariha Trisna - 3-35(10)

Bangladesh Women- 175 (49.3)

Sharmim Akhter- 34(77), Ayabonga Khaka - 4-32(10)

South Africa Women’s won by 32 runs.