South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, high on confidence following their fighting win against India, marks successive victories after a heavy defeat in their campaign opener against England. They were up against a spirited Bangladeshi unit, led by their inspirational leader Nigar Sultana Joty. They are the ultimate underdogs, determined to push one of the best sides competing in the Women’s World Cup 2025 to earn those two points against them.
Both sides made a couple of changes each. Annerie Dercksen finally got her ODI World Cup debut, as she replaced Sune Luus, and Masabata Klaas replaced Ayabonga Khaka in the starting 11 for South Africa. Fargana Hoque made her way back into the side, replacing Sumaiya Akter, and Nishita Akter made way for Ritu Moni in the starting 11 for Bangladesh.
Fifties from Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter lift Bangladesh to 232
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty took the brave call to put the runs on the board after the coin toss flipped in her favour. The Bangladeshi openers, Rubya Haider and Fargana Hoque, responded to their skipper’s call by delivering their best opening stand in the ongoing edition of the tournament, worth 53. The opening duo went unseparated in the cautious power play for the first time in the ongoing edition.
Chloe Tryon broke the stand, by sending Rubya Haider (25 off 52 balls) back to the pavilion in the 17th over of the innings, providing the much-needed first breakthrough for South Africa. It was also their 3rd highest opening stand in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. The batting unit was finally able to execute their plans to perfection for the first time in the tournament.
The innings had a perfect template backed by solid partnerships throughout the innings, keeping the South African bowlers at bay, and hence ensuring there was no collapse at any point in the innings. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty led from the front and showed the way by stitching a compact 77-run partnership for the 3rd wicket alongside Sharmin Akhter (50 off 77 balls), which also took them to the 150-run mark. Nonkululeko Mlaba gave the perfect opening for her side by dismissing the opposition skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (32 off 42 balls), as they entered the final 10-over phase, providing a crucial 3rd breakthrough for her side.
A power-packed finish from the 18-year-old youngster Shorna Akter (51* off 35 balls), registering the fastest half-century by a Bangladeshi batter off just 34 balls, also ended up breaking the current record, which was held by the Australian skipper Alyssa Healy against India (35 balls) for the fastest half-century in the tournament in the ongoing edition so far. Her knock included three boundaries and three maximums. Ritu Moni (19* off 8 balls) chipped in with a cameo as Bangladesh posted their 2nd highest total of 232/6 in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in their quota of 50 overs.
Nonkululeko Mlaba (10-0-42-2), Chloe Tryon (10-0-41-1), Nadine de Klerk (9-0-39-1), and Masabata Klaas (6-0-22-0) were impressive with the ball for South Africa.
Chloe Tryon, Marizanne Kapp, and Nadine de Klerk guide South Africa home
Defending a competitive total, Nahida Akter provided Bangladesh with a dream start as Tazmin Brits departed for a duck, chipping one straight back to her to provide the first breakthrough for the Nigar Sultana Joty-led side in the 2nd over of the run chase. Anneke Bosch joined skipper Laura Wolvaardt, and Bosch was finally amongst the runs en route to the 55-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.
Complete chaos in the middle resulted in the departure of the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt (31 off 56 balls), in the 15th over of the innings to provide the massive 2nd breakthrough for Bangladesh. The Nigar Sultana Joty-led side pounced on the opening, and South Africa were reduced to 78/5 in the 23rd over of the innings.
The vice-captain Chloe Tryon joined Marizanne Kapp at the crease, and the duo utilised all their experience to settle down and take the game deep. The pair buckled up and took them past the 150-run mark with a massive 85-run partnership for the 6th wicket, settling the nerves in the Proteas camp. Nahida Akter returned and induced a false shot from Marizanne Kapp (56 off 71 balls), opening the game up for Bangladesh, providing the 6th breakthrough for her side in the 41st over of the innings.
The superstars from the previous game against India, Chloe Tryon (62 off 69 balls) and Nadine de Klerk, took them to the brink of a hard-fought contest, with a quick-fire 35-run partnership for the 7th wicket. The dynamic all-rounder Nadine de Klerk (37* off 29 balls) yet again took the Proteas over the line in style with a maximum to seal the run chase. South Africa got over the line with three wickets in hand and three balls to spare.
Nahida Akter (9.3-1-44-2), Ritu Moni (10-1-29-1), and Rabeya Khan (10-0-48-1) were impressive with the ball for Bangladesh. Chloe Tryon was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive all-round performance. She returned with impressive match figures of 10-0-41-1 with the ball and scored a match-defining half-century (62 off 69 balls) with the bat for her side. She played a pivotal role alongside Nadine de Klerk as the Proteas sealed a hat-trick of victories in the tournament.
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