Murshida Khatun and the Bangladesh Women’s spinners played a crucial role in securing their team’s first ODI victory against South Africa Women since 2017. Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series by winning convincingly in East London with a 119-run margin while defending their highest ODI total of 250.

Murshida, scoring a career-best 91 not out off 100 balls, led the batting charge. Despite everyone getting starts, no other batter surpassed 38. After a 66-run opening stand by Fargana Hoque and Shamima Sultana, Murshida anchored the innings, forming partnerships of 44 with Fargana, 80 with captain Nigar Sultana, and an unbeaten 60 with Shorna Akter.

In the chase, South Africa struggled, reduced to 9 for 2 in the third over, with Sultana Khatun dismissing Laura Wolvaardt and Marufa Akter trapping Tazmin Brits lbw. Although Anneke Bosch and Sune Luus tried to stabilize with a 41-run partnership, Nahida Akter’s left-arm spin triggered a collapse, reducing South Africa from 50 for 2 in the 13th over to 95 for 8 in the 27th.

Debutant Eliz-mari Marx and tailender Masabata Klaas frustrated Bangladesh with a 36-run partnership. However, Sultana Khatun and Nahida wrapped up the innings in five balls. Nahida finished with figures of 3 for 33, while Sultana Khatun, Rabeya Khan, and Fahima Khatun claimed two wickets each.

The second ODI is scheduled for Wednesday in Potchefstroom.