The Bangladesh Emerging Women’s team began their three-match T20 series on a winning note, defeating the South Africa Emerging team by five wickets in the opening match held at the Cox’s Bazar Cricket Academy ground on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, South Africa posted a modest total of 116 for 6. Bangladesh chased it down with 118 for 5 in 19.3 overs, recovering from an early collapse.
Shorna Akter was the star of the show, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 50 off 32 balls, which included five boundaries and a six. Her calm and calculated approach proved decisive after Bangladesh’s top order faltered.
The home side got off to a shaky start, losing four wickets for just 23 runs in 5.2 overs, including two batters dismissed for ducks. Afia Ashima and Farjana Easmin briefly steadied the innings before Afia fell for 12, leaving Bangladesh at 51 for 5.
With the game hanging in the balance, Shorna took charge. She shared a match-winning, unbroken 67-run partnership with Farjana, who played a crucial supporting role with an unbeaten 25, guiding the team to victory in the final over.
Earlier, South Africa’s Faye Tunnicliffe top-scored with a brisk 43 off 37 balls, while Simmone Lourens and Luyanda Nzuza contributed 32 and 22 runs respectively.
Bangladesh’s Habiba Islam impressed with the ball, taking 2 for 17 in her four-over spell.
The second T20 of the series will be played on Friday at the same venue.
Bangladesh had earlier claimed the preceding three-match one-day series 2-1.
