Spinners shine as Bangladesh down Proteas women to win opening ODI

The Proteas Women have lost the opening one-day international against their counterparts from Bangladesh as they went down by 119 runs in East London on Saturday.

After they were asked to bat first, Bangladesh posted an impressive 250/3 in their 50 overs on the back of a brilliant 91* (off 100 balls) by Murshida Khatun.

She was ably supported by Sigar Sultana (38), Fargana Hoque (35) and Shamima Sultana (34).

Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/37) was the pick of the Proteas bowlers.

BANGLADESH TAKE THE LEAD

Not to be for the Proteas Women as Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series ????????#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAWvBANW pic.twitter.com/YmY7ZrZ9F6

In reply, South Africa were soon in trouble as skipper Laura Wolvaardt (5) and Tazmin Brits (4) were back in the pavilion early. 

Anneke Bosch (16) and Sune Luus (31) tried to rebuild the innings, but once they fell, the Proteas' innings quickly collapsed as spinners Nadia Akter (3/33), Rabeya Khan (2/24), Fahima Khatun (2/16) and Sultana Khatun (2/32) excelled with the ball for the visitors.

Only a defiant 35 by Eliz-mari Marx kept the Bangladesh bowlers from securing an even more emphatic victory.

Scores in brief:

Bangladesh 250/3: Murshida Khatun 91*

Proteas: 131 all out: Nadia Akter (3/33), Fahima Khatun (2/16), Eliz-mari Marx 35

Bangladesh won by 119 runs