Wolvaardt completes demolition job after Kapp’s brilliance, as SA storm into semis
SA players celebrate a wicket (Twitter)
South Africa Women storm into the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, thus shrugging off their unsteady launch in the tournament. They annihilated a hapless Bangladeshi unit by 10 wickets in Cape Town, thus registering their second win of the group stage.
Kapp, Khaka restrict Bangladesh to just 113
Bangladesh Women skipper Nigar Sultana won the toss and had opted to bat first. The cricketer herself top-scored in the innings with a sluggish 30. Sobhana Mostary at number three also listed an inactive 27 after her side had lost both their openers early.
Despite preserving wickets for the most part of the innings, the Bangladeshis never managed to step on the pedal and had to be content with a modest 113-run total.
Ace Proteas’ speedsters Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka both claimed two wickets apiece while new-ball bowlers Nonkululeko Mlaba and Shabnim Ismail accounted for a wicket each.
Hosts openers complete task without any casualty
South African openers Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits made sure the rest of their teammates enjoyed their rest throughout the entirety of their run-chase. The two cricketers cracked sparkling half-centuries and hunted down the Bangladeshi total with more than two overs to spare.
Wolvaardt whacked 66 unbeaten runs, glittered with seven elegant boundaries and a six. Her partner Brits, meanwhile, secured 50 crucial runs from her end.
South Africa’s 10-wicket win now grants them entry into the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2023, where they will meet Group B table-toppers England.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women: 113-6 (20)
Nigar Sultana 30 (34), Sobhana Mostary 27 (30)
Marizanne Kapp 2-17, Ayabonga Khaka 2-21
South Africa Women: 117-0 (17.5)
Laura Wolvaardt 66* (56), Tazmin Brits 50* (51)
Marufa Akter 0/19
South Africa Women won by 10 wickets
 "Aakash Saini")
