Women's T20 WC: Bangladesh post 117/5 as Sobhana, Nigar rescue innings vs SA
Synopsis
Bangladesh were staring at a total below 80 when they slumped to 14/2 inside four overs at Lord's — but Sobhana Mostary's patient 42 and Nigar Sultana's explosive unbeaten 32 off just 20 balls dragged them to 117/5. Whether that is enough to trouble South Africa on a surface that eased through the day is the question that defines Bangladesh's tournament hopes.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh posted 117/5 in 20 overs against South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground on 28 June in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup .
Sobhana Mostary top-scored with 42 off 48 balls ; captain Nigar Sultana remained unbeaten on 32 off 20 balls .
Bangladesh slumped to 14/2 after just four overs as Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail dominated the powerplay.
A 55-run third-wicket partnership between Mostary and Sharmin Akhter revived the innings.
Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2/22 ; Kapp finished with 1/9 from four overs .
Bangladesh collected 22 runs in the last two overs but the total was considered below par on a pitch that eased as the game progressed.
Bangladesh recovered from a top-order collapse to post 117/5 in 20 overs against South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, on Sunday, 28 June, in the penultimate group stage match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. A composed 42 from Sobhana Mostary and an unbeaten 32 off 20 balls from captain Nigar Sultana gave the total a far more competitive look than seemed possible after a dire powerplay.
A Disastrous Start Under Swing
Bangladesh's decision to bat first was put under immediate pressure by South Africa's experienced pace attack. Marizanne Kapp struck with the opening delivery of the match, dismissing Juairiya Ferdous for a golden duck after the batter missed a wild swing. Kapp's pronounced swing and Shabnim Ismail's hostile seam movement gave Bangladesh little breathing room through the powerplay.
The pressure yielded a second wicket when Taj Nehar, after a painstaking stay, was trapped leg-before by Ismail following a review. At 14/2 after just four overs, Bangladesh had barely registered a scoring opportunity against relentless South African discipline.
Sobhana-Sharmin Partnership Steadies the Ship
Mostary chose patience over aggression, absorbing the early pressure before gradually rotating the strike and punishing anything loose. Sharmin Akhter complemented her approach perfectly, finding boundaries square of the wicket and accumulating through intelligent placement. Together, the pair constructed a crucial 55-run third-wicket partnership that revived Bangladesh's hopes.
Mostary swept confidently against Nonkululeko Mlaba and punished Chloe Tryon's loose deliveries. She also produced the innings' first six, pulling Nadine de Klerk over deep square leg to signal Bangladesh's intent to push beyond the modest total they had seemed destined for.
The partnership ended when Mlaba deceived Sharmin in flight, bowling her for 22. Shortly after, Mostary fell for a hard-earned 42 off 48 balls, upper-cutting a cleverly disguised slower short ball from de Klerk straight to deep backward point. Bangladesh were reduced to 81/4 with only a few overs remaining.
Nigar Sultana's Unbeaten Finish
With the innings in danger of folding below 100, captain Nigar Sultana took charge. After assessing the conditions against the returning Ismail, she shifted gears dramatically in the closing overs — slicing a boundary off Ayabonga Khaka before launching a powerful slog sweep for the innings' second six.
Even after Mlaba removed Shorna Akter in the penultimate over, Nigar kept attacking, slog-sweeping another boundary before carving consecutive fours off Khaka in the final over. Bangladesh collected 22 runs across the last two overs, ending on 117/5 with Nigar unbeaten on 32 off 20 balls.
South Africa's Bowling Figures
Kapp's opening spell of 1/9 from four overs set the tone, while Ismail returned 1/15. Mlaba was the pick of the spinners with 2/22, and de Klerk's changes of pace accounted for the well-set Mostary at a critical juncture.
What Comes Next
A total of 117 appeared below par on a surface that became progressively easier to bat on as the morning progressed, leaving South Africa confident of completing the chase. The result will have significant implications for the group standings as both sides approach the final stages of the tournament.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 117/5 in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 42, Nigar Sultana 32*; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-22, Marizanne Kapp 1-9) vs South Africa.
Point of View
And a middle-to-death phase that showed genuine character. The problem is that character alone rarely wins T20 matches — 117 on a surface that flattened out through the day hands South Africa a comfortable target. For Bangladesh to progress in this tournament, their top order must convert intent into runs before the pitch settles, not after the damage is done.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Bangladesh's final score against South Africa in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup?
Bangladesh finished on 117/5 in 20 overs against South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground on 28 June. The innings was rescued by Sobhana Mostary's 42 and captain Nigar Sultana's unbeaten 32 off 20 balls after a top-order collapse left them at 14/2.
How did Sobhana Mostary perform in this match?
Sobhana Mostary top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 off 48 balls, anchoring a 55-run third-wicket partnership with Sharmin Akhter that revived the innings after the early collapse. She fell to a Nadine de Klerk slower ball when Bangladesh were 81/4.
Who were the best bowlers for South Africa in this match?
Marizanne Kapp was outstanding with 1/9 from four overs, striking with the very first ball of the match. Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2/22 through the middle overs, and Shabnim Ismail returned 1/15 with hostile pace and seam movement.
What is the significance of this match in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup?
This was the penultimate group stage game for both Bangladesh and South Africa in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, making the result critical for tournament standings and knockout qualification prospects.
Was 117 a competitive total for Bangladesh at Lord's?
Analysts and the match context suggested 117 was below par, as the Lord's surface became progressively easier to bat on as the morning progressed. South Africa were considered firm favourites to complete the chase and strengthen their tournament position.
