South Africa make winning start against Bangladesh in the Women’s Cricket World Cup

Bangladesh fight hard but lose to ‘unconvincing’ South Africa in their first-ever Women’s WC match
Seamer Ayabonga Khaka tore through Bangladesh’s batting lineup to get South Africa’s Women’s Cricket World Cup campaign off to a winning start in Dunedin on Saturday. Khaka brought up her 100th one-day international wicket in her 74th match, snaring figures of 4-32 off 10 overs to help dismiss Bangladesh for 175 and complete a 32-run victory at University Oval.
Chasing 208 for victory in their first 50-over World Cup match, Bangladesh were in good shape after openers Sharmin Akhter and Shamima Sultana put on 69 for the first wicket.
Khaka made the key breakthrough when she bowled Shamina with a full delivery in the 20th over, the first of three wickets in a nine-ball span for the South African game-changer. The wheels began to fall off the chase when South African fielder Masabata Klaas made a direct hit to leave Fargana Hoque (8) stranded, and reduce Bangladesh to 85-4 in the 27th over. There was a late flurry – and 43 were needed off the final five overs – but when captain Nigar Sultana was run out for 29 the match was safe.
Bangladesh had only beaten South Africa twice in their previous 17 women’s ODIs, but gave themselves a great chance with a lively bowling and fielding performance to dismiss them for 207 with one ball remaining.
South Africa’s innings never really got going as Bangladesh’s bowlers restricted the run rate. Opener Laura Wolvaardt (41 of 52) led the way at the top, then Marizanne Kapp (42 off 45) and Chloe Tryon (39 off 40) got them past 200 and gave them something to defend. Left-armer Fariha Trisna was Bangladesh’s best with the ball, ending with 3-35.
Scoreboard
At University Oval, Dunedin: South Africa 207 off 49.5 overs (Marizanne Kapp 42, Laura Wolvaardt 41, Chloe Tryon 39; Fariha Trisna 3-35, Jahanara Alam 2-28, Ritu Moni 2-36) beat Bangladesh 175 off 49.3 overs (Sharmin Akhter 34, Nigar Sultana 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-32, Masabata Klaas 2-36) by 32 runs.