South Africa Emerging Women produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Bangladesh Emerging Women by eight wickets with 11 balls to spare in the opening match of the Bangladesh Women Emerging Players Tour of South Africa at Pietermaritzburg. Chasing a competitive target of 153, the hosts displayed remarkable composure with the bat after an equally disciplined bowling effort, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. While Bangladesh found inspiration through a brilliant innings from Shathi Rani, South Africa responded with an outstanding unbeaten partnership between Alexandra Candler and Faye Tunnicliffe to seal a comfortable win.
After winning the toss, Bangladesh Emerging Women opted to bat first and began positively despite losing an early wicket. The opening partnership was short-lived as Mosammat Eva managed only 6 runs before Nthabiseng Nini provided the first breakthrough, reducing the visitors to 9/1 in the second over. Murshida Khatun added 6 but could not convert her start, becoming Yasmeen Khan’s catch off Alexandra Candler as Bangladesh slipped to 17/2. The pressure intensified when Jannatul Ferdous was trapped lbw by Luyanda Nzuza for a duck, leaving the visitors struggling at 18/3 inside four overs.
With wickets falling around her, Shathi Rani anchored the innings superbly and rebuilt Bangladesh’s innings through an important 115-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Misty Shaha. The duo steadied the innings after the early collapse, rotating the strike intelligently before accelerating during the middle overs. Shathi was particularly aggressive, smashing 78 off just 56 deliveries, an innings decorated with 13 boundaries at a strike rate of 139.28. Misty Shaha played the perfect supporting role with a valuable 36 from 39 balls, striking two fours while ensuring Bangladesh remained in contention.
South Africa finally broke the crucial stand in the 18th over when Alexandra Candler removed the dangerous Shathi Rani with the score at 133/4, ending the match-defining partnership. Bangladesh looked for a late flourish, but Afia Ashima’s brisk 8 off 5 balls ended when she was trapped lbw by Nthabiseng Nini, making it 142/5. Misty Shaha was then run out in the penultimate over after contributing significantly to the recovery. Captain Disha Biswas remained unbeaten on 5, while Habiba Islam did not face a delivery as Bangladesh completed their innings at 152/6 in 20 overs, with 13 extras boosting the total.
South Africa’s bowling unit shared the workload effectively despite Shathi Rani’s brilliance. Nthabiseng Nini finished with 1/31 from four overs. Alexandra Candler claimed a prized wicket, ending with 1/31 in three overs, while Luyanda Nzuza also picked up a wicket, finishing with 1/17 in two overs. Miane Smit impressed with an economical spell of 1/14 from three overs, the most economical among the frontline bowlers. Caitlin Wyngaard (1/25), Nondumiso Shangase (0/14) and Seshnie Naidu (0/15) maintained control during the middle and death overs to prevent Bangladesh from pushing beyond the 160-run mark.
Needing 153 for victory, South Africa’s chase had a minor setback when Yasmeen Khan was dismissed for just 1 after an opening partnership of 2 runs with Alexandra Candler. Fatema Jahan provided Bangladesh with the early breakthrough, leaving the hosts at 2/1. However, that proved to be Bangladesh’s only moment of dominance for a long period as Alexandra Candler and Faye Tunnicliffe completely took control of the contest.
The pair stitched together a magnificent 146-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the game away from Bangladesh with confident strokeplay and excellent running between the wickets. Alexandra Candler played the anchor’s role, remaining unbeaten on 65 from 53 balls, striking eight boundaries while pacing the chase to perfection. At the other end, Faye Tunnicliffe produced the standout innings of the chase with a sparkling 82 off just 49 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and one six at a blistering strike rate of 167.34.
Her aggressive approach ensured the required run rate never became an issue as South Africa raced towards victory. Although Bangladesh finally dismissed Tunnicliffe at 148/2 through a catch by Jannatul Ferdous off Habiba Islam, the result was already beyond doubt. Miane Smit joined Alexandra Candler and struck an unbeaten 5 from two balls, adding the finishing touches as South Africa reached 153/2 in 18.1 overs, winning by eight wickets with 11 balls remaining.
Bangladesh’s bowlers found little assistance against South Africa’s dominant batting display. Fatema Jahan finished with 1/33 in four overs, while Habiba Islam ended with 1/27 from three overs. Captain Disha Biswas bowled 3.1 overs for 26 runs, Nishita Akter Nishi conceded 28 runs in three overs, Afia Ashima returned figures of 0/27 in four overs, and Lata Mondal bowled one over for 12 runs. Despite their efforts, none of the bowlers could break the decisive second-wicket partnership early enough to shift the momentum.
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