Proteas Women win CWC25 nail-biter against Bangladesh

Nadine de Klerk played a heroic cameo to guide South Africa to a thrilling three-wicket win over Bangladesh in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2025 clash at Visakhapatnam on Monday.

After Bangladesh opted to bat and posted 232/6, South Africa were left needing eight runs off the final over to complete the chase. De Klerk, who was dropped in the penultimate over, made the most of her reprieve, sealing the victory in style with a six to finish the chase with three balls to spare.

The result lifted South Africa to third on the table with six points from four matches, marking their third straight win of the tournament while Bangladesh slumped to their third defeat.

Marizanne Kapp (56) and Player of the Match Chloe Tryon (62) also played pivotal knocks to motor South Africa’s comeback, stitching an 85-run stand after the Proteas were reeling at 78/5 and it was their partnership that laid the foundation.

For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter (2/44) was the pick of the bowlers while Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khatun and Ritu Moni also chipped in with a wicket each.

Nahida struck with her very first delivery to remove Tazmin Brits for a duck before Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch added a steady fifty-run partnership. Bangladesh then changed the tide, hitting back with three quick wickets to reduce South Africa to five down.

After Nahida dismissed Kapp to claim her second wicket, Tryon’s run out added further pressure. But De Klerk and Masabata Klaas held their nerve in a tense chase.

Bangladesh nearly had their moment when Shorna Akter dropped De Klerk in the deep during the penultimate over. She made them pay, smashing a four and a six in the final over to seal a memorable victory.

In the first innings, Shorna Akter's fine fifty and Moni’s explosive cameo powered Bangladesh to a competitive total of 232/6 against South Africa. Bangladesh were struggling at 195/6 in the 46th over after losing Shobhana Mostary and Rabeya in quick succession but Shorna and Moni added 37 runs in the final three overs to lift the total.

Sharmin Akter (50) also chipped in with a crucial half-century as Bangladesh recovered from a slow start, reaching 150 only by the 40th over before accelerating late. Among South Africa’s bowlers, Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/42) claimed the most wickets while Tryon and De Klerk picked up a wicket each. Despite a few hiccups, Bangladesh’s collective batting effort from the top order ensured a total they would be content with.

South Africa applied early pressure on Bangladesh, restricting them to just 28 runs in the PowerPlay. Despite the slow start, openers Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider managed to put up Bangladesh’s highest opening partnership of the tournament. Haider’s patient knock eventually came to an end when she was caught at mid-on, handing South Africa their first breakthrough with Tryon claiming her wicket.

Mlaba then trapped Hoque LBW to put Bangladesh further on the back foot. However, captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin combined to rebuild the innings, guiding their side past the 100-run mark in the 30th over.

Joty and Haider later revived Bangladesh’s innings with a 77-run stand, the highest partnership of the innings, before a breakthrough once again halted their momentum. Joty fell to Mlaba, caught at short cover while attempting to loft one over the fielder.

Akter soon brought up her ninth ODI fifty but her fine knock ended shortly after as she was run out, denting Bangladesh’s rhythm once more. Shorna then anchored the innings with a fluent 51 off 33 balls, that had three fours and as many sixes. All of Bangladesh’s sixes came off her bat, which guided the team to a competitive total.

Bangladesh, who began their campaign with a win but have since suffered three straight defeats, face a stern test against defending champions Australia in their next game on Thursday. South Africa, meanwhile, will take on hosts Sri Lanka the following day.

Proteas Women Squad

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase and Chloé Tryon.

Travelling Reserve

Miané Smit

Management

Mandla Mashimbyi (Head Coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (Team Manager), Claire Terblanche (Assistant Coach), Baakier Abrahams (Batting Coach), Dillon du Preez (Bowling Coach), Bongani Ndaba (Fielding Coach), Zane Webster (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Abram Ramoadi (Performance Analyst), Neline Hoffman-Kellerman (Physiotherapist), Dr Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (Team Doctor), Happiness Mesi (Logistics and Massage Therapist), Lita Gqirana (Media Manager) and Zahid Shaik (Close Protection Officer).

Fixtures - ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v England (Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati) - England won by 10 wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v New Zealand (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore) - SA won by six wickets

Thursday @ 11.30am - South Africa v India (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Monday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Bangladesh (ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam) - SA won by three wickets

Friday @ 11.30am - South Africa v Sri Lanka (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Tuesday, 21 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Pakistan (R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo)

Saturday, 25 October @ 11.30am - South Africa v Australia (Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore)

Wednesday, 29 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 1 (TBC)

Thursday, 30 October @ 11.30am - Semi-final 2 (Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai)

Sunday, 2 November @ 11.30am - Final (TBC)