Tigresses outclassed

Nigar Sultana hit an unbeaten 59 but her effort was not good enough to save the Bangladesh women's team from a huge 86-run defeat against the visiting South Africans in the first ODI of the five-match series at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox's Bazar yesterday.

After being sent in to bat first, the favourites showed their strength in batting courtesy of a 122-run opening stand between Lizelle Lee and Andrie Steyn gave them a good start. Lee smacked six fours and seven sixes during her 71-ball 87, while Steyn added 68 off 123 balls with two boundaries.

After Lee's dismissal, Mignon du Preez joined Steyn to share a 79-run second-wicket stand as the visitors reached 251 for the loss of three wickets in 50 overs.

Salma Khatun was Bangladesh's most successful bowler as she finished with two wickets, but she was also the most expensive, giving away 30 runs in 4 overs.

In reply, the hosts lost opener Sharmin Akhter in the very second over and another opener, Sanjida Islam, walked back with the score on 27 and 11.2 overs gone by.

Bangladesh were never in contention as the asking run-rate increased after every over.

The only silver lining was the batting of captain Rumana Ahmed and wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana, who was unbeaten after facing 90 deliveries. The latter's innings also contained seven fours and a six, while Rumana contributed 37 off 80 balls.

At the end of their allotted overs, Bangladesh could only manage 165 runs.

The rest of the ODIs will take place at the same venue on January 16, 18 and 20 respectively.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: 251-3 in 50 overs (Lee 87, Steyn 68, Preez 62 not out; Nahida 1-45, Salma 2-30)

BANGLADESH: 165-6 in 50 overs (Rumana 37, Nigar 59 not out; Niekerk 2-23, Luus 3-52) 

Result: South Africa won by 86 runs.

Player of the match:  L Lee (South Africa)