Shorna Akter was the standout performer with the bat as Bangladesh Emerging Women secured a five-wicket win over South Africa Emerging Women in the first T20 in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday.
The victory gives the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shorna lit up the chase with an unbeaten 50 off just 32 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and a six as Bangladesh hunted down South Africa’s total of 116-6.
Earlier, the visitors were lifted by in-form opener Faye Tunnicliffe, who top-scored with a composed 43 from 37 deliveries.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first, before Bangladesh struck in the second over through Sabikun Jesmin (1-22) to remove Nicole de Klerk (1).
Nishita Nishi (1-22) then made an immediate impact in the following over, sending Eliz-Mari Marx back without scoring to leave the tourists struggling at 12-2.
Tunnicliffe, steady as ever, anchored the innings alongside youngster Simone Lourens (32), stitching together a 44-run stand to revive South Africa’s hopes.
That promise was short-lived, though, as a mix-up between the batters led to Lourens being run out.
Tunnicliffe soon followed, dismissed by Jesmin for her second wicket of the match.
At 89-4 with fewer than five overs left, South Africa looked to middle-order batter Luyanda Nzuza (22) for some late impetus.
However, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, stifling the visitors’ momentum.
Delmi Tucker (11) and Nzuza were the final two to fall, with South Africa finishing their innings on 116-6 from 20 overs.
REMARKABLE COMEBACK
With the ball, the South Africans made a blistering start as Tucker (1-14) and Marx (2-26) ripped through the Bangladeshi top-order by dismissing Dilara Akter (9), Sarmin Sultana (0) and Misty Shaha (0) within the first three overs of the innings.
Rubya Haider (8) and Afia Ashima (12) offered a brief period of calm before both fell to South Africa’s T20 captain Leah Jones (2-11), leaving Bangladesh in deep trouble at 51-5, still needed 66 runs off 61 balls.
That’s when Shorna Akter entered the stage and transformed the match.
The internationally capped youngster led a remarkable comeback, forming a match-winning 67-run partnership with Farjana Easmin (25*).
The duo’s unbeaten stand ensured Bangladesh reached the target with three balls to spare.
The second T20I will take place at the same ground on Friday, 16 May.
SA Emerging Women’s Squad against Bangladesh Emerging
Leah Jones (T20 captain, World Sports Betting Western Province), Kgomotso Rapoo (50-over captain, DP World Lions), Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nicole De Klerk (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Ghandi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Zintle Kula (Knights), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Mona Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Luyanda Nzuza (Knights), Verunissa Reddy (Knights), Nonkululeko Thabethe (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Management
Dinesha Davnarain (Head Coach), Marcia Letsoalo (Manager), Claire Terblanche (Batting Coach), Angelique Taai (Bowling Coach), Yolandi van der Westhuizen (Fielding Coach), Dr Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes (Team Doctor), Stacey-lee Hercules (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Tshepi Letsholo (Physiotherapist) and Adele van Eck (Team Analyst).
REMAINING FIXTURES
T20 Matches
Friday, 16 May at 09h30 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar
Sunday, 18 May at 09h30 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar