South Africa is stunned by Bangladeshi teenager Shorna’s five-for

2023.12.03

An all-around legspin bowler, sixteen, sets off the downfall of SA in their pursuit of 150

Bangladesh 149 for 2 (Murshida 62*, Nigar 34*) beat South Africa136 for 8 (Bosch 67, Brits 30, Shorna 5-28)

Shorna Akther, 16, wrote a magnificent new chapter in Bangladeshi women’s cricket history when they defeated South Africa in the opening Twenty20 International at Benoni. As South Africa fell from 123 for 3 to 136 for 8, the legspin-bowling all-rounder, who was defending 149, claimed her first five-for to set off a middle-order collapse in the last five overs. In the 12 Twenty20 Internationals that they have played, this is just the second time that Bangladesh has defeated South Africa. The past ten games had been won by South Africa.

For the most portion of the pursuit, South Africa was competitive because of Anneke Bosch. Normally ranked No. 3, she was elevated to start alongside Tazmin Brits because to the absence of Laura Wolvaardt, the newly designated captain, who was forced to miss the opening game due to the WBBL final on Saturday. Bosch hit 30 runs off of 26 balls and put up a rapid 67 off 49 balls, sharing a fast 69-run partnership with the British.

With Bosch still batting and seven wickets in hand, South Africa needed 41 from the final 24 balls, but in the eighteenth over, Shorna struck again, first dismissing Bosch and then forcing Bangladeshi captain Nigar Sultana to stump Nondumiso Shangase in a two-run over. Today, South Africa needs 26 runs from the final 12 balls.

Nahida Akter handed up just two runs while also getting rid of Eliz-mari Marx, who was making his debut, in the next over. It was always going to be difficult for the lower order to reach 24 in six balls, and Shorna’s two further wickets in the last over saw him end with 5 for 28.

Bangladesh chose to bat first, and Nigar’s blistering 34 off 21 not out and Murshida Khatun’s undefeated 62 helped them to a respectable score. In the end, the pair’s 45 runs in the last four overs proved to be very significant for South Africa.

Bangladesh needed someone to take it up after Shamima Sultana was out for a run-a-ball 24 and Sobhana Mostary for a 17-ball 16, and Nigar rose to the occasion. Murshida, who batted as an anchor, hit six fours and a six in her 59-ball innings, compared to her six fours.BCB

Bangladesh highlighted the inexperience of South Africa’s bowling team, as only Marx shined with 4-0-25-1 and no bowlers leaked at less than six runs per over. Marizanne Kapp was rested, fast bowler Ayabonga Khaka was hurt, and all-rounders Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk were out of the game.

Before the three-match ODI series kicks off in East London on December 16, the last two Twenty20 Internationals will take place in Kimberley on December 6 and 8.

@charith