South Africa were off to a positive start in the Women’s World Cup, as a sterling performance with the ball spearheaded by Ayabonga Khaka’s 4-wicket haul has propelled them to a win against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh opted to bowl first on a rather overcast Dunedin morning, as both teams were in search of early momentum. It was a strategic call, as seamers Jahanara Alam and Fariha Trisna kept it mostly tight during the first 10 overs.

Laura Wolvaardt got off to another breezy start, but Tazmin Brits was struggling to get on the board. It took Brits 19 deliveries to play her first scoring shot, but the painful stay came to a tame end when she uppishly flicked to midwicket.

Wolvaardt remained solid, but her resolute start was overshadowed with another prolonged struggle, from Lara Goodall. The introduction of spin ensured that runs were gradually drying up, and medium pacer Ritu Moni dealt a major blow when she castled the set Wolvaardt. One breakthrough brought another, as Goodall reverse swept straight to backward point off Salma Khatun.

South Africa were clearly in a spot of bother, as a number of pressure-building overs produced vital openings for Bangladesh. Mignon du Preez and skipper Sune Luus cautiously began the rebuilding against the accurate spin bowling from the opposition. However, just when the Proteas were beginning to repair the early damage, du Preez feebly chipped one back to legspinner Rumana Ahmed.

The success for Bangladesh continued, as Luus was run out in unlucky fashion while backing up. Fortunately, this would trigger a much-needed turnaround for SA. Chloe Tryon hit the first maximum of the game in the 38th over, and Marizanne Kapp rotated the strike and kept the score moving along.

Kapp and Tryon added 71 runs between them in what was a partnership studded with brilliant running between the wickets with the occasional aggressive strokeplay. Jahanara Alam struck in the 45th over, when Tryon hit a lofted drive straight to mid-off, and what could’ve been a blistering finish at the death was cut short.

A superb effort from Jahanara and Fariha towards the end of the innings made sure that the Proteas would score another 16 runs in the final 5 overs. SA were bowled out for a rather middling 207, and the bowlers had a challenge to defend the total.

It was a solid start for Bangladesh, as opening batters Shamima Sultana and Sharmin Akhter stayed on the defensive but also remained toe to toe with the required rate.

Seamers Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp contained the opening stand fairly well, but hardly had any luck in the first 10 overs. Sharmin was in good touch, playing with soft hands and unafraid to take on anything too full and wide.

There were a few close calls, but SA did well to bowl to their field. Bangladesh were scoring at 3 an over, but the second over from Sune Luus released a bit of pressure when both openers struck boundaries.

After 19 overs of disciplined bowling, the Proteas finally reaped their rewards, as Ayabonga Khaka sent Shamima back with a Yorker. This wicket would slowly open the floodgates, as SA forced their way back into control.

Khaka continued to impress, as she removed the well-set Sharmin and Murshida Khatun in the very next over. All of a sudden, Bangladesh were now playing catch-up after a brilliant opening stand propped up their chase.

The dominance continued, as Masabata Klaas scored a direct hit from short third man to find Fargana Haque well short of her ground, and when Khaka returned to dismiss a dangerous Rumana Ahmed, South Africa were in pole position.

Bangladesh were able to stay in the game, as a dogged 53-run stand between Nigar Sultana and Ritu Moni resurrected the innings. Ritu was starting to shift gears, but the attempt to stay in sync with the rising asking rate proved too much. She missed a length ball from Ismail, which crashed into her leg stump.

South Africa are off to a positive start in the Women’s World Cup, as a sterling performance with the ball spearheaded by Ayabonga Khaka’s 4-wicket haul has propelled them to a win against Bangladesh.

Ultimately, it was too steep a hill for the Bangladeshis to scale, and South Africa held on to a priceless, comfortable opening victory despite facing a robust challenge.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 175 in the final over, leaving them 32 short.

Khaka also brought up her 100 ODI wickets for South Africa, the fifth player to reach the milestone for the Proteas.

The Proteas play their next game against Pakistan at 3am SAST on Friday.

SA 207 in 49.5 overs (Kapp 42, Wolvaardt 41 – Fariha 3/35)

BAN 175 in 49.3 overs (Sharmin 34 – Khaka 10-3-32-4)