![South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt is poised and ready to make an impact [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Downloader.la-629588ae26cb0-e1720886708397.jpg "Laura Wolvaardt is poised and ready to make an impact [Image: Getty]")
South Africa displayed an impressive performance to wrap up a three-match T20I series with a convincing win. The Proteas won the match by eight wickets to level up the series at the Diamond Oval, Kimberley on December 08. A sensational performance by debutant Ayanda Hlubi and Laura Wolvaardt was the highlight of the game.
South Africa won the toss and opted to bowl first in the final T20I. The Proteas made a fantastic start as young Hlubi struck twice in two balls in her first over of international cricket. She produced impressive figures of 2/15 to help the home side restrict the visitors for a very low total. Besides her, Masabata Klaas capitalized on the momentum by claiming the third wicket of the day leaving the opposition side in deep trouble on 17/3 in the sixth over.
For Bangladesh, Lata Mondal is the only batter who showed some fighting spirit with single-handedly trying to move the scoreboard. She scored 42 runs off 62 balls before losing her wicket to Klaas. With less than six overs to be bowled Mondal and Shorna Akter built the highest 46-run partnership to help Bangladesh edge closer to the 100-run mark before two quick wickets fell in the last over.
South Africa bowlers had an outstanding outing as they kept the visitors under control throughout the innings. The Proteas bowlers managed to restrict Bangladesh to just 94-6 in their 20 overs.
SA END THE SERIES ON A HIGH 👌
Laura Wolvaadrt stood tall as she led the Proteas Women to a convincing 8 wicket victory against Bangladesh 🇿🇦🇧🇩#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAWvBANW pic.twitter.com/z11tIooln6
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 8, 2023
While chasing, Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa made a positive start as Captain Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits partnered up for 35 runs for the opening wicket. However, Bangladesh struck soon to leave South Africa on 52-2 after eight overs. Defending the low score, South Africa was already in a strong position even after losing two wickets.
READ MORE: SA vs BNG 1st T20I: Shorna Akter’s 5-fer Leads Bangladesh To An Incredible Win Over The Proteas
Anneke Bosch’s wicket was the second and the last to fall for the host nation as skipper Wolvaardt alongside Sune Luus displayed their experience and maturity to lead South Africa to a comfortable victory. The two batters had an undefeated 43-run stand between them that later assisted their team to equalize the three-match series in the 15th over of the innings.
Shorifa Khatun (1/10) and Marufa Akter (1/14) were the only wicket-takers for Bangladesh. The young bowler Shorna Akter was awarded the Player of the Series following her five wickets in the three-match matches.
The host South Africa lost the opening T20I and the second fixture was washed out. Finally, the home team managed to register a win in the final T20I to end the series at 1-1. South Africa won the match by eight wickets with 28 balls to spare. Ayanda Hlubi was named the Player of the Match for her exceptional contribution to the bowl on her international debut match.
The white-ball tour continues in the One-Day International series between 16-23 December as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 qualification.
Brief Scores: South Africa vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I
Bangladesh – 94/6 (Lata Mondal – 42, Shorna Akter – 23, Ayanda Hlubi – 2/15) lost to South Africa – 95/2 (Laura Wolvaardt – 49, Tazmin Brits – 17, Marufa Akter – 1/14) by 8 wickets.
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