Mostary, Sultana lift Bangladesh to 117

Sobhana Mostary laid a solid foundation before Nigar Sultana gave Bangladesh Women a strong finish on their way to 117/5 in their Women's T20 World Cup match against South Africa Women at Lord's on Sunday. South Africa needs 118 runs to win.

Mostary top-scored for Bangladesh with a patient 48-ball 42 that helped her side navigate the powerplay and middle overs. Her innings helped to create a firm platform for her captain, Sultana, to come out swinging and push Bangladesh to a competitive total. Sultana finished the innings unbeaten on 32 from 20 balls.

Sultana, who won the toss and elected to bat first, did so with the hope that her batters would capitalise on the conditions. That was not to be. Sultana's side lost two early wickets and appeared stuck in quicksand in the powerplay. A huge reason for that was Marizanne Kapp's disciplined bowling.

The allrounder castled Juariya Ferdous with the first delivery of the match. This was also her 100th T20I wicket. Her new ball partner, Shabnim Ismail, complimented her efforts and claimed South Africa's second wicket three overs later. The early wickets put Bangladesh onto the back foot and they stumbled to 23/2 at the close of the powerplay.

Bangladesh emerged from their shell when Laura Wolvaardt brought on the spinners. Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akhter scored 17 runs in the eighth and ninth overs. Mostary and Akhter constructed a 56-run third-wicket partnership off 62 deliveries. Their partnership was broken by Nonkululeko Mlaba, who dislodged Akhter. Mostary followed her back into the pavilion 2.1 overs later.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was South Africa's most successful bowler with two wickets for 22 runs in four overs. Marizanne Kapp, Shabnim Ismail, and Nadine de Klerk chipped in with a wicket each.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

BANGLADESH: Juariya Ferdous, Taj Nehar, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla.