Feeble Tigresses blown away

Batting was once again the biggest weakness for the touring Bangladesh women's cricket team as Rumana Ahmed and her troops crumbled to their second defeat in the five-match ODI series against their South African counterparts, this time by a crushing nine-wicket margin in the second ODI at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom yesterday.

After suffering their biggest 50-over defeat, by 106 runs in Friday's first ODI during which the  Tigresses were bundled out for 164 runs in chase of 271, the Bangladesh batters were shot out for just 89 in 39.5 overs after electing to bat yesterday.

The visitors were reeling on 45 for eight inside 23 overs, but Jahanara Alam and Panna Ghosh added 37 runs for the ninth wicket and helped Bangladesh avoid their lowest ever ODI total of 60 all out against the same opposition at home in 2012.

Panna remained unbeaten on 20 and Jahanara added 18 while Nigar Sultana scored 17. Those were the only double-digit scores in a sordid innings. 

Player-of-the-match medium pacer Ayabonga Khaka and off-spinner Raisibe Ntozakhe bagged three wickets each for the bowling side.

In reply, South Africa reached the target in 17.1 overs for the solitary loss of opener Lizelle Lee, who was caught off Salma Khatun for 32. Her opening partner Laura Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 37 runs.

Bangladesh will take on the hosts in the third ODI on May 9 at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley.