SA vs BAN: Shorna Akter shines as Bangladesh win series opener

At Willowmoore Park in Benoni, Shorna Akter walked away with the laurel as Bangladesh beat South Africa on Sunday (December 3). The win margin was merely 13 runs in a closely fought contest. Bangladesh scored 149 runs for the loss of only two wickets, whilst South Africa fell short as they finished on 136 for the loss of eight wickets at the end of the chase.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh decided to bat first which eventually proved to be the right decision. Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun added 44 runs on the opening wicket with Murshida batting through the innings. Even though Anneke Bosch tried her best for South Africa, once she fell,  the hosts could not keep up with the run rate as a zealous Bangladesh bowling attack overpowered them.

Shorna Shines

The 16-year-old leg-spinning allrounder was the biggest highlight of the match. Shorna was star of the show with five wickets to her name - including the priced scalp of Bosch just as the opener was threatening to take the game away from the visitors.

South Africa had a great start with the Bosch and stand-in skipper Tazmin Brits adding 69 runs for the opening wicket. Even though Brits fell to Rabeya Khan for 30 off 26 balls, Bosch kept them in the game with her career-best knock of 67. But with Shorna picking up Sune Luus and Bosch, the Proteas ran out of gas.

Murshida’s solid hand

Earlier, Bangladesh batters finished the innings on a high to use the platform laid out by the openers. Murshida and captain Nigar Sultana Joty added 45 runs in the last four overs which gave Bangladesh the momentum going into the second half.

Whilst Shorna walked away with all the accolades, Murshida showed great spirit to bat through the innings to score an unbeaten 62 off 59 balls. Her contribution was instrumental in helping Bangladesh set a competitive total on the board at a good batting wicket at the Willowmoore Park. 

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 149/2 in 20 overs (Murshida Khatun 62, Nigar Sultana Joty 34*; Nondumiso Shangase 1/13) beat South Africa 136/8 in 20 overs (Anneke Bosch 67, Tazmin Brits 30; Shorna Akter 5/28) by 13 runs POTM: Shorna Akter