VISAKHAPATNAM: South Africa’s lower-order batting unit delivered a second successive rescue act, clinching a tense three-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Women’s World Cup on Monday after another top-order failure.
In pursuit of 233 runs for victory, the Proteas found themselves in deep trouble at 78 for 5. However, their deep batting lineup demonstrated the same resilience that helped them overcome India in a previous match, refusing to surrender.
A crucial 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Marizanne Kapp (56) and Chloe Tryon (62) stabilized the innings and revived the chase. Both batters registered half-centuries, but their subsequent dismissals allowed Bangladesh a renewed opportunity to push for an upset.
The situation demanded a cool head, and Nadine de Klerk once again proved to be South Africa’s crisis specialist. Her unbeaten 37 from just 29 balls steered her team to the target with three deliveries to spare.
“I am lost for words, actually. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but I’m happy we pulled this off,” said Player of the Match Chloe Tryon. “We just wanted to stay calm and wait for the bad balls. We knew we could chase 80 in the last 10 overs.”
The finish was fraught with tension. When Tryon was run out by a direct hit from Ritu Moni, South Africa still required 35 runs from 31 balls with only three wickets in hand. De Klerk survived several nervous moments, including a dropped catch when she was on 26, and made Bangladesh pay for the lapse. Needing eight runs from the final over, she cut the first ball from Nahida Akter to the boundary for four and then sealed the victory emphatically by hitting the third ball for a six.
After beginning their campaign with a crushing 10-wicket defeat to England, where they were bowled out for 69, South Africa has now strung together three consecutive victories to rise to third place in the standings, putting a semi-final berth within sight.
For Bangladesh, the match was a story of missed opportunities, as a more clinical fielding performance might have secured them the win. After a slow start that saw them at 73 for 2 after 25 overs, they posted a competitive 232 for 6, powered chiefly by a blistering 51 not out from Shorna Akter. Her 35-ball innings, the fastest fifty of the tournament to date, featured three fours and three sixes.
