Shorna Akter of Bangladesh bowled circles around South African hitters in her maiden T20I five-wicket haul as the Tigresses won the first T20I by 13 runs in Benoni yesterday. This was the Tigresses’ historic first win against South Africa in their own backyard, as the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side seized a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Shorna retained her cool, bowling her whole quota in the final seven overs of the innings. She grabbed five wickets for 28 runs as the hosts were reduced to 136 for eight while chasing a 150-run chase set by Bangladesh.
After Nahida Akter, Jahanara Alam, and Panna Ghosh, the 16-year-old became the fourth Bangladesh player to capture a five-wicket haul in the format.
South Africa got off to a good start, with openers Anneke Bosch and Tazmin Brits putting on a 69-run stand before being dismissed by leg-spinner Rabeya Khan.
Brits are bowled out for 30 in the tenth over, giving the Tigresses their first breakthrough.
Leggie Fahima Khatun castled Annerie Dercksen in the following over.
Shorna, Bangladesh’s third leg-spinner, entered the fray in the 14th over, with the hosts needing 60 runs in the final six overs. She held her own and struck first in the 16th over to retire Sune Luss, conceding eight runs.
With South Africa needing 28 runs in the final three overs, Shorna returned in the 18th over to take the crucial wicket of opener Bosch, who appeared to be the key for the hosts after hitting nine fours and a six for a 49-ball 67. Shorna took a second wicket in a superb over that changed the balance in favour of the visitors, dismissing Nondumiso Shangase for only two runs.
She grabbed two more wickets in the final over to seal Bangladesh’s triumph.
Earlier, Murshida Khatun’s 62 not out, her third T20I fifty, and a quickfire cameo from skipper Nigar Sultana Joty helped Bangladesh reach 149 for two after opting to bat first.
Murshida hit six fours and one six in her 59-ball 62, while Nigar hit six boundaries in his 21-ball 34-run performance.