In the first innings, South Africa applied early pressure on Bangladesh, restricting them to just 28 runs in the powerplay. Despite the slow start, openers Farzana Haque and Rubya Haider managed to put up Bangladesh’s highest opening partnership of the tournament.
Haider’s patient knock eventually came to an end when she was caught at mid on, handing South Africa their first breakthrough with Chloe Tryon claiming her wicket.
Nonkululeko Mlaba then trapped Haque LBW to put Bangladesh further on the back foot. However, captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akter (50) combined to rebuild the innings, guiding their side past the 100-run mark in the 30th over.
But it was Shorna Akter’s quickfire half-century and Ritu Moni’s explosive cameo powered Bangladesh to a competitive total of 232/6 against South Africa.