The three-match One-Day series between South Africa Emerging Women and Bangladesh Emerging Women moves into its decider with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead. The opening encounter at Chatsworth Oval in Durban was completely washed out without a ball being bowled, leaving everything to play for in the second game at the same venue. In that match, South Africa set up a strong total of 256, built on the back of Alexandra Candler’s fluent 85 and Miane Smit’s brisk 49, despite Habiba Islam taking three wickets for the visitors. Bangladesh’s chase featured a resilient 61 from opener Murshida Khatun, but continuous breakthroughs by spinner Luyanda Nzuza and a late collapse forced by Smit’s 3 for 8 saw the visitors bowled out for 191, sealing a convincing 65-run win for the local side.
Heading into the final 50-over match, Bangladesh will need a far more rounded effort from their batting core if they hope to level the series. While Khatun and Afia Era showed grit in Durban, the middle order struggled to build partnerships against South Africa’s disciplined bowling attack. On the bowling front, Bangladesh showed good fight late in the innings to derail South Africa’s push for a massive total, but they will want tighter control during the middle overs to prevent batters like Candler and Smit from establishing another solid platform.
Squads:
Bangladesh Emerging Women’s Cricket Team
Disha Biswas, Lata Mondol, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Murshida Khatun, Shathi Rani, Nishita Akter Nishi, Most Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Fatema Jahan, Halimatul Sadia, Misty Rany Shaha, Habiba Islam Pinky, Aka Mollik, Afia Ashima Era, Sabikun Nahar Jesmin, Mst Eva, Mst Jannatul
South Africa Emerging Women’s Cricket Team
Alex Candler, Simone Lourens, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Yasmeen Khan, Karabo Meso, Leah Jones Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Caitlin Wyngaard, Nthabiseng Nini, Nondumiso Shangase, Oluhle Siyo, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlaken
Players to watch out:
Alexandra Candler
Alexandra Candler leading the run charts with a solid performance in her single outing so far. Across 2 matches, she batted in 1 innings, scoring an impressive 85 runs at an average of 85.00 and a strike rate of 79.43. Her knock included 6 boundaries and 1 half-century, setting a great benchmark for South Africa Women Emerging.
Miane Smit
Miane Smit made a massive impact with the ball in her limited spell for South Africa Women Emerging. In 2 matches, she bowled just 1 innings, delivering 3.0 overs (18 balls) including 1 maiden, while picking up 3 wickets for just 8 runs. With a stunning best bowling of 3/8, an average of 2.66, and an economy rate of 2.66, her strike rate stands at an unbelievable 6.0.
Murshida Khatun
Murshida Khatun has been the standout batter for Bangladesh Women Emerging early in the series. Appearing in 2 matches, she featured in 1 innings and scored a fine 61 runs at an average and high score of 61.00. Her knock off 87 balls came at a strike rate of 70.11 and featured 8 boundaries to anchor her side’s effort.
Habiba Islam
Habiba Islam has been a key strike bowler for Bangladesh Women Emerging. In 2 matches, she bowled a full quota of 10.0 overs (60 balls) in 1 innings, claiming 3 wickets for 61 runs. Finishing with best figures of 3/61, she holds a bowling average of 20.33, an economy rate of 6.10, and a strike rate of 20.00.
Pitch:
Known for offering solid bounce and carry for seamers during initial overs, early on before settling into a balanced batting deck with true pace. Spinners usually find assistance as the pitch wears in dry conditions.
Weather:
Clear and sunny with a high of 22°C and a low of 6°C, accompanied by light southeast winds at 5 mph. The conditions promise a complete and uninterrupted game of cricket.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Disha Biswas, Lata Mondol, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Murshida Khatun, Shathi Rani, Alex Candler, Simone Lourens, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Yasmeen Khan, Karabo Meso
Match Details:
Date – August 03, 2026
Time – 1:00 PM IST
Venue – City Oval, Pietermaritzburg
Broadcast – T.B.C.
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