Ismail steers Proteas past Bangladesh in first T20

THE Proteas Women continued on their winning ways when they beat Bangladesh by 17 runs in the first Cricket South Africa T20 in Kimberley yesterday to go 1-0 up in the threematch series.

Shabnim Ismail was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/19 in her four-over spell, including a maiden, to help restrict the visitors to 110/5 chasing a 128-run target.

Raisibe Ntozakhe (1/10) and Masabata Klaas (1/21) chipped in with a wicket each.

Bangladesh’s Rumana Ahmed (36 off 41 balls) and Fargana Hoque (35 off 37) batted their side out of early trouble after losing openers Shamima Sultana (5) and Sanjida Islam (8) inside the first five overs.

Ahmed and Hoque shared a 72-run fourth-wicket partnership before the former was toppled by Ismail.

The bowlers dried up runs to prevent the tourists from getting over the line.

Earlier, the home side got off to a flying start thanks to a 77-run opening stand between Lizelle Lee (46 off 38 balls) and Laura Wolvaardt (30 off 22) after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Trouble came after the loss of Wolvaardt to Ahmed (2/19) in the 10th over. She and Khadija Tul Kubra (3/23) ripped through the SA top order, taking five wickets between them as the hosts slipped from 77/1 to 86/5 after 13 overs. They lost the day’s captain Chloe Tryon (6), Mignon du Preez (1) and debutant Stacey Lackay (1) in rapid succession and Marizanne Kapp added 11 before she fell to Salma Khatun (1/12) off the first ball of the 19th over.

Sune Luus took the innings into her own hands, blasting 28 off 23 balls, including two fours and six, and moving South Africa from 113/6 to a healthier 127 in the end.

The next match takes place in Bloemfontein tomorrow (1pm start). – ANA