LIVE: South Africa bowlers on top against Bangladesh

Match Centre and Scorecard

Toss: Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

But the Tigresses made a sluggish start with the bat after Dilara Akter was caught behind off Marizanne Kapp from just the second ball of the innings.

South African pace duo Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka proved extremely tricky for Bangladesh to get away, as the six-over powerplay ended with the score at just 21/1.

WATCH: Kapp strikes early once again | WT20WC 2024

Shathi Rani tried to up the rate and hit the game’s first maximum in the process, but the attacking shift proved her undoing as she was caught in the deep off Annerie Dercksen as Bangladesh reached 43/2 at the midway point of the innings.

WATCH: Six and out! Shathi Rani departs | WT20WC 2024

The outcome of Group B could well hang on the result of this match, with both sides still mathematically in contention to reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh need a mammoth win if they are to stand a chance of a top two finish having been on the receiving end of losses to England and West Indies.

But South Africa are still in with a good chance of making it to the final four. Victory here would mean that for the Proteas to be denied a semi-final spot it would need West Indies to beat England in the final group game, with the English also gaining a significant NRR improvement across their two remaining matches (against Scotland and then the Windies.

Such an outcome isn’t impossible, but a big win here for Laura Wolvaardt’s side would give them a very strong hand while they sit back and watch the remaining matches unfold.

The Teams

South Africa:1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Sune Luus, 6 Chloe Tryon, 7 Annerie Dercksen, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Sinalo Jafta (wk), 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba, 11 Ayabonga Khaka

Bangladesh: 1 Dilara Akter, 2 Shathi Rani, 3 Shobhana Mostary, 4 Nigar Sultana (capt.)(wk), 5 Murshida Khatun, 6 Shorna Akter, 7 Ritu Moni, 8 Fatima Khatun, 9 Rabeya Khan, 10 Nahida Akter, 11 Marufa Akter

The T20 World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.

Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.