Bangladesh posted a competitive 232 for 6 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, thanks to a fearless late assault from Shorna Akter that marked a dramatic break from the caution that has defined their batting in this tournament.
Arriving with ten overs left and the scoreboard reading 150 for 3, Shorna smashed an unbeaten 51 from 35 balls, including three fours and three towering sixes. Her hitting transformed a steady platform into a total that should give Bangladesh’s spinners something meaningful to defend under lights.
She was well supported at the death by Ritu Moni, who struck 19 not out from eight balls. Moni took on Marizanne Kapp, previously miserly, and hit the first three deliveries she faced from her to the boundary. Earlier, the innings had been anchored by Sharmin Akhter, who compiled 50 from 77 balls, with each of the top four contributing at least 25.
Under gloomy skies and with a run-rate of under four an over across their previous matches, Bangladesh made the bold call to bat first in what is a must-win fixture. Captain Nigar Sultana said at the toss that any total on the board would give her bowlers a chance, and the decision appeared vindicated as Nonkululeko Mlaba extracted sharp turn during her haul of 2 for 42.
That will be encouraging for a Bangladesh attack that has relied heavily on its spinners throughout the competition. South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt warned that dew later in the evening could favour the chasing side, but even she would have noted the intent behind Shorna’s ball-striking, especially her straight sixes down the ground.
For much of the first 40 overs, however, Bangladesh reverted to the safety-first approach that cost them against England and New Zealand. They soaked up 126 dot balls in the opening 30 overs and rarely looked to force the pace. South Africa created few chances but were barely required to, as the batters remained cautious to a fault.
Kapp found movement in conceding only 10 runs in her first five overs, while Masabata Klaas, preferred to Ayabonga Khaka, hit a probing length. Fargana Hoque struck two boundaries off Klaas in the sixth over, but Rubya Haider’s pull off Nadine de Klerk was the only other four in a meagre powerplay worth 28.
Gradually, though, Bangladesh used South Africa’s lack of breakthroughs to their advantage. Rubya and Fargana added 53 for the first wicket before Rubya miscued a slog sweep and Chloe Tryon held the catch at mid-on. Fargana made 30 from 76 before falling lbw to Mlaba, who thought she had taken a catch before the review confirmed otherwise. Sharmin and Nigar then added substance through the middle, taking the score to 150 for 2 after 40 overs.
Mlaba returned to remove Nigar for 27, Wolvaardt holding a sharp catch. Shorna arrived with a clear intent to change the tempo and Sobhana Mostary briefly matched her approach with 9 from 8 balls before she was run out by a direct hit from Tumi Sekhukhune at fine leg. Moni’s late flurry, combined with Shorna’s clean hitting, ensured 37 runs came from the final three overs.
Bangladesh now have a total that could test South Africa’s batters, although the evening dew and the Proteas’ own firepower may yet shape the outcome.
