The Bangladesh women's cricket team could not capitalise on their positive outing in Wednesday's practice match as they lost the first ODI of the five-match series against their South African counterparts by 106 runs at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom yesterday.

South Africa put in a clinical performance, racking up 270 for nine after winning the toss and then restricting Bangladesh's stuttering chase to 164 all out in 49.3 overs. The one positive for Bangladesh was an unbeaten 69 from Fargana Hoque, who had scored 103 off 144 balls against North West Women in the warm-up on Wednesday. The difference in quality from the warm-up match was obvious in the fact that it took Fargana 146 balls to score 69.

Her innings was one of only three double-digit scores from the tourists, with opener Sanjida Islam scoring a 63-ball 35 and tailender Panna Ghosh chipping in with 23 during a 52-run lOth-wicket partnership with Fargana that leant the innings a touch of respectability after they collapsed from two for 74 to 112 for nine as South Africa used nine bowlers, the best of them being skipper Dane van Niekerkwho took three for 23 from her 10 overs.

Earlier, South Africa's 270 for nine was powered by a 54 from opener Lizelle Lee and a 42-ball 65 from Chloe Tyron. Van Niekerkalso chipped in with 44 in an all-round performance. SCORES IN BRIEF

South Africa: 270 for 9 in 50 overs (Lee 54, Van Niekerk 44, Tryon 65; Jahanara 2-62, Nahida 2-22, Fahima 2-53) Bangladesh: 164 all out in 49.3 overs (Sanjida 35, Farganaa 69 not out, Panna 23; Van Niekerk 3-23, Tryon 2-14) Result: South Africa women won by 106 runs.