Visakhapatnam, October 14:
Bangladesh came agonisingly close to a sensational upset against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup but fell short by three wickets in a thrilling encounter at Visakhapatnam on Monday. Chasing 233, the Proteas were in trouble at 78-5 as Bangladesh’s spinners wreaked havoc, leaving the visitors on the brink of collapse.
Bangladesh fight hard but fall short
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana praised her team’s spirit despite the heartbreaking loss. “I’m really proud of the way my girls fought till the last ball. They are emotional, but they kept believing that we could get this win. It was a great learning experience for us,” she said at the post-match presentation.
The young Bangladesh side showed immense courage, building pressure with disciplined bowling and tight fielding. However, dropped chances proved costly. South Africa’s Chloe Tryon and Marizanne Kapp stitched together a crucial 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket, turning the tide in the final overs. Nadine de Klerk once again emerged as South Africa’s saviour, steering her team past the finish line.
Missed opportunities
Bangladesh’s fielding lapses were highlighted as a decisive factor in the match. Captain Sultana admitted, “We picked up early wickets, but the match slipped away after the 30th over. Our bowlers performed well, but a few moments in the middle of the innings made the difference.”
The team’s resolve was evident, however, and the captain insisted that her players should remain proud. “This is not our last game of the tournament. We have three more games left. We gave them a tough fight and should keep our heads held high,” she said.
Next challenge for Bangladesh
Bangladesh will next face Australia on October 16 in what promises to be another challenging encounter. The team will be looking to learn from their mistakes, sharpen their fielding, and maintain the fearless approach they have shown in the tournament so far.