BLOEMFONTEIN – Half-centuries from Suné Luus and Dané van Niekerk laid the foundation for an unassailable 2-0 lead for the SA women’s cricket team, with a 32-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20 international in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Luus struck a 57-ball 71, while the skipper added her own 66 runs from 42 as the home side posted 169/4 after they were asked to bat first.
Luus’ knock was made extra special as it was her maiden T20 international 50.
The innings got off to a shaky start after the hosts lost openers Tazmin Brits and Lizelle Lee for 10 and four respectively.
Luus and Van Niekerk put on 96 runs for the third wicket, powering their side towards a better total than they achieved in the first match with 127/6.
Chloe Tryon came in at the latter part of the innings, smashing away 18 runs from just nine deliveries including a massive six off the last ball of the innings.
Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter and Panna Ghosh returned identical figures of 2/32 in their four overs.
Shamima Sultana was once again impressive with the bat in hand, leading the visitors’ chase with an impressive maiden 50 from 43 deliveries (6x4s, 1x6).
Sultana and Fargana Hoque shard a 77-run, third-wicket partnership after Rumana Ahmed and Sanjida Islam lost their wickets cheaply on five and zero respectively.
Hoque showed good intent with the bat, hitting 37 at a run a ball before falling victim to Shabnim Ismail, who was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/29 at the end of her spell.
South Africa are just one match shy of a series whitewash, one that will go nicely with the ODI clean sweep they achieved last week.
The last match of the series will take place at the same venue on Sunday starting at 1pm.