South Africa remained in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after overcoming Bangladesh by four wickets in a tense contest at Lord’s. Playing at the historic venue, South Africa survived a challenging chase to reach 118 for 6 with four balls remaining after restricting Bangladesh to 117 for 5.
After opting to bat under overcast conditions, Bangladesh slipped to 14 for 2 before a vital 56-run partnership between Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary revived the innings. Captain Nigar Sultana then provided late momentum with an unbeaten 32 from 20 deliveries to guide her side to a competitive total.
Although the target appeared manageable, South Africa endured another difficult chase. They lost Laura Wolvaardt from the opening delivery, and Bangladesh remained in the contest through an outstanding fielding display, taking every catch offered. The result leaves South Africa waiting on the outcome of Australia’s clash with India. An Australian victory would send South Africa into the semi-finals, while an India win would eliminate them.
Kapp and Ismail Strike Early
Marizanne Kapp made an immediate impact by dismissing Juairiya Ferdous with the very first ball of the match. Bowling a full delivery, Kapp beat the batter’s attempted swing and sent the off stump cartwheeling. She completed her spell with impressive figures of 1 for 9 from four overs at an economy rate of just 2.25.
Shabnim Ismail built on the pressure by bowling a maiden in her opening over before removing Taj Nehar. The batter reviewed the lbw decision, but ball-tracking showed umpire’s call, ending her innings for 1 from 12 balls.
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Bangladesh Recover Through Sharmin and Sobhana
Bangladesh reached only 23 for 2 by the end of the Powerplay before Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary rebuilt the innings with a patient partnership worth 56 runs from 62 deliveries.
After Kapp completed her spell, South Africa rotated their bowlers, with Nadine de Klerk introduced into the attack. Sobhana briefly accelerated, pulling one of de Klerk’s short deliveries over deep square leg for six.
The stand was finally broken in the 15th over when Nonkululeko Mlaba deceived Sharmin with flight and spin, bowling her after she advanced down the pitch. Sobhana followed soon afterwards, scoring 42 from 48 balls before miscuing a short delivery from de Klerk.
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Nigar Sultana then lifted the scoring rate with an unbeaten 32 from just 20 deliveries as Bangladesh closed on 117 for 5.
Dercksen Anchors South Africa’s Chase
South Africa’s pursuit began in the worst possible fashion when Marufa Akter bowled Laura Wolvaardt with the first ball of the innings.
With the captain dismissed immediately, Tazmin Brits and Annerie Dercksen steadied the chase. Dercksen settled after an inside-edged boundary and soon displayed greater fluency, including a six over cow corner against Sanjida Akter Meghla.
The pair added 57 runs for the second wicket before South Africa suffered another setback when Brits and Dane van Niekerk were dismissed in consecutive overs. At halfway, the visitors were 59 for 3 and still required another 59 runs.
Dercksen continued to hold the innings together, scoring 45 before departing with South Africa needing another 31 runs.
Bangladesh Push the Contest to the Final Over
Following Dercksen’s dismissal, Bangladesh tightened their grip by keeping South Africa without a boundary for 18 consecutive deliveries.
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Nadine de Klerk eventually broke the pressure with a boundary through the covers off Nahida Akter, but the next delivery produced another twist. Attempting a quick single, de Klerk set off while Kapp hesitated, allowing Sharmin Akhter to produce a sharp throw that left Kapp run out.
De Klerk responded with another boundary over square leg as South Africa reduced the equation to ten runs from the final two overs.
The all-rounder then attempted to finish the chase in style but was caught superbly by Shorna Akter at deep midwicket off Ritu Moni. South Africa still required five runs from the last five deliveries before calmly completing the chase two balls into the final over to secure a crucial victory.
Brief Scores: South Africa 118/6 (Annerie Dercksen 45; Nahida Akter 2-24) beat Bangladesh 117/5 (Sobhana Mostary 42, Nigar Sultana 32*; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-22) by four wickets.
