LIVE: Scotland faced with huge target after South Africa light up Dubai

Scorecard and Match Centre

Scotland lost their top three in the powerplay to leave South Africa in a dominant position in their Group B meeting.

Ayabonga Khaka removed Saskia Horley (6) and Chloe Tryon picked up both of the Bryce sisters caught and bowled, dismissing Sarah Bryce for 5 and Kathryn Bryce for 7 to leave Scotland needing a miracle from their middle order.

Earlier, South Africa’s big-name batters set up a big score against Scotland in Dubai, with the Proteas reaching 166/5 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Openers Laura Wolvaardt (40) and Tazmin Brits (43) set the tone before Marizanne Kapp lit up the game with a blistering 43 from just 24 deliveries.

Scotland put in a brave effort with the ball and in the field, not letting their heads drop in the face of a world-class batting assault, as Olivia Bell, Kathryn Bryce, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater and Darcey Carter all picked up wickets.

But the T20 World Cup debutants will require a remarkable batting effort if they are to chase down the biggest total of the tournament so far.

How South Africa posted the tournament’s biggest total

Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, South Africa’s openers made a fast start in their first-ever international meeting with Scotland in Dubai.

Laura Wolvaardt took advantage of being dropped early as she led the charge, setting the platform for a huge score alongside fellow opener Tazmin Brits.

The Proteas racked up 60/0 in the powerplay, the highest by any team at the tournament so far, having reached 50 runs in fewer deliveries than any team.

WATCH: Wolvaardt makes Scotland pay for costly drop

Scotland stemmed the flow of runs when Olivia Bell held on to a chance off Katherine Fraser to end Wolvaardt’s knock of 40 (27).

And a second wicket fell off Darcey Carter’s first ball as she had Anneke Bosch (11) caught at mid-off, but with 89 already on the board with the best part of nine overs remaining, South Africa’s top order had put them in a dominant position. And the arrival of Marizanne Kapp only accelerated the momentum.

WATCH: Sharp Bell catch sends back Wolvaardt

Tazmin Brits missed out on a half-century when she holed out on 43 (35), looking to hit Bell over the long-off boundary.

But Kapp was in scintillating form as she found the rope with impressive frequency, hitting six boundaries in her sparkling 43 (24) before attempting one shot too many and departing to Bryce as Carter, who was excellent in the field throughout, held on to a good catch.

WATCH: Marizanne Kapp's attacking knock ends right after exquisite four

Chloe Tryon’s disappointing form with the bat continued as she fell cheaply towards the death, and Annerie Dercksen could only manage 1* from 4 deliveries in the final over, but Sune Luus (18*) boosted the score as South Africa reached the highest total of the tournament, finishing on 166/5.

Playing XIs:

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, Sune Luus, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka

Scotland: Saskia Horley, Sarah Bryce (wk), Kathryn Bryce (c), Ailsa Lister, Priyanaz Chatterji, Darcey Carter, Lorna-Jack Brown, Katherine Fraser, Rachel Slater, Abtaha Maqsood, Olivia Bell