It was a game that shouldn’t have been the struggle it was, but South Africa seldom does things the easy way.

All the adrenaline from the India win was quickly tranquilised by a spirited Bangladesh batting and bowling effort, but the Proteas found a way to dig out an identical three-wicket win in a Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 league fixture at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

Chasing 233, South Africa stumbled early, with Tazmin Brits falling for a second consecutive duck. Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch added 55 runs before their quick dismissals gave Bangladesh hopes of an unlikely win.

With Annerie Dercksen and Sinalo Jafta sent back early, Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon’s 85-run stand steadied the ship, the pair registering much-needed half-centuries to give the side an upper hand.

AS IT HAPPENED | Bangladesh vs South Africa Highlights

After Tryon’s wicket, the Proteas needed 35 runs from 31 balls and Nadine de Klerk, as she did against India, sealed the nail-biter for South Africa.

Earlier, Bangladesh openers Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider put 53 runs on the board in 15 overs before the partnership was broken when the former miscued her slog-sweep to de Klerk at mid-on. Hoque departed when a review, originally for caught-behind, saw ball tracking confirm that she was trapped leg before instead.

Sharmin Akhter and Nigar Sultana Joty gave Bangladesh momentum with a 77-run stand from 91 balls. With the run rate less than four after the loss of the pair, Shorna Akter began swinging her willow.

Any invitation to find the gaps was gleefully taken, as de Klerk found out when Shorna sent the ball sailing over long-on. She also had a rub of the green when a possible run out instead saw her register her maiden half century.

Alas, Shorna anticlimactically dropped de Klerk in the penultimate over of the chase, letting what would have been a close but famous win slip through Bangladesh’s fingers.

Published on Oct 13, 2025