GROS ISLET, St Lucia, , CMC – South Africa held off a spirited Bangladesh as they wrapped up an otherwise disappointing ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign with a 30-run win here Sunday night.
Once again, the Proteas batting struggled and they could only mount a meagre 109 for nine off their 20 overs with Marizanne Kapp getting 25 and opener Lizelle Lee, 21.
Salma Khatun, who bowled the new ball, finished with three for 20 while fellow off-spinner Khadiza-Tul Kubra picked up two for 18.
In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 79 for five off their 20 overs despite Rumana Ahmed’s unbeaten 34 off 40 balls.
The defeat was Bangladesh’s fourth straight leaving them bottom of Group A while South Africa’s win was only their second, which was good enough for a third place finish in the group.
With both teams eliminated from semi-final contention, there was only pride to play for but neither side managed to lift their game significantly.
Sent in, South Africa were cruising at 60 for one in the ninth over behind a 35-run, second wicket partnership between Kapp and skipper Dane van Niekerk (17).
But as has been the case in the tournament, once Kapp was well caught in the deep top-edging a slog at Rumana, South Africa once again capitulated, losing eight wickets for 49 runs.
Despite the small target, Bangladesh never looked like seriously threatening, and were already facing an uphill task when they crawled to 33 for three at the halfway stage of the innings.
Rumana resisted, striking two fours, but the knock was never likely to change the outcome as South Africa’s bowlers restricted any free scoring.
