Favourites for an eighth win in as many Twenty20 internationals versus the Proteas, England immediately took a stranglehold in Dhaka through player of the match Anya Shrubsole.
Shrubsole, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker now with 12 scalps, capitalised on Edwards winning the toss via two nearly-identical early breakthroughs; the seamer bowled right-handers Lizelle Lee and Trisha Chetty through the gate with big inswingers.
Rebecca Grundy, playing in her maiden global competition, then grabbed the first of her two strikes as Yolandi van der Westhuizen was trapped plumb in front
Grundy later ousted Mignon du Preez for 23, ending a threatening stand between the Proteas skipper and Chloe Tryon.
Tryon resisted gamely, smashing two sixes in her 40 before being bowled by Natalie Sciver in the last over.
The first two run-outs came in the 10th set of six, delivered by the economical Danni Hazell, when there could have been a third.
The other three were in the closing overs and it was fitting that the innings should finish in this fashion, with a delivery unused, equalling the record for run-outs in a women’s T20 international.
Edwards and Sarah Taylor then set about chasing the target with aplomb, sharing an opening partnership of 67 that put the result beyond doubt.
They started patiently before upping the ante with four consecutive fours across the seventh and eight overs, Edwards taking Tryon for the latter three.
Edwards was caught and bowled by 18-year-old leg-spinner Sune Luus for 36, but Heather Knight overcame early jitters against slow bowling to support Taylor with 21.
Taylor appropriately hit the winning run, with 19 balls to spare, finishing unbeaten on 44 to set up a date with Australia who have won the last two World T20s.