Bangladesh batter Murshida Khatun and left-arm spinner Nahida Akter shone as the Tigresses defeated South Africa by 119 runs in the first of three one-day internationals on Sunday at Buffalo Park in East London.
The victory was the Tigresses’ first ODI victory in South Africa in nine matches. This is the visitors’ third 50-over victory over South Africa, with the previous two coming at home in 2012 and 2017.
Murshida hit an unbeaten 100-ball 91 with 12 fours to help Bangladesh to their highest-ever ODI total of 250 for three, and Nahida took three wickets for 33 runs to help Bangladesh bowl out the hosts for 131 in 36.3 overs.
Bangladesh imposed a spin trial that suffocated the hosts, as four of their spinners — Sultana Khatun (2), Rabeya Khan (2), Fahim Khatun (2), and Nahida — took nine wickets, while frontline pacer Marufa Akter took one.
Bangladesh had earlier posted their highest-ever ODI total, surpassing their previous mark of 234 all out against Pakistan last year.
Murshida recorded her third ODI fifty and also her career-best score in the format as she held her end and kept the board ticking after openers Fargana Haque and Shamim Sultana put on a solid 66-run stand for the visitors.
Shamima’s dismissal in the 15th over after a 48-ball 34-run knock sent Murshida to the crease. The left-handed batter powered through a 44-run outing with Fargana, who left after scoring a 76-ball 35.
An 80-run stand with skipper Nigar Sultana Joty followed, which aided the flow of runs as the right-handed batter struck a 48-ball 38 before giving the bowler a straightforward chance.
Shorna Akter continued the pattern of hitters scoring runs, hitting two boundaries for an undefeated 28-ball 27.