Bangladesh vs South Africa, Women's World Cup 2025 Highlights

We are back for another dramatic 50 overs with South Africa's reply with the bat. The players of Bangladesh spread across the field and take their respective positions. Laura Wolvaardt is accompanied by Tazmin Brits to open for the Proteas. And it will be Marufa Akter, the 20-year-old to bowl the first over of the run chase. The Proteas skipper, Wolvaardt, to face. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

That was a commanding batting display from this resurgent Bangladesh side. So, it’s 233 for South Africa Women to chase if they’re to secure a hat-trick of wins. But make no mistake, this won’t be a stroll in the park. Bangladesh’s bowling has been their biggest strength. They made England Women sweat, huff, and puff while defending just 178 a few moons ago, and with the confidence from today’s batting, they’ll surely believe they can defend this total too. However, South Africa Women have won both their games while chasing, which suggests a spicy second half. Will the dew play its role? Or can Bangladesh Women achieve the unthinkable and create history in Vizag? All will be answered shortly in the run chase. Stay tuned.

South Africa's Nonkululeko Mlaba is in for a chat with the broadcasters. She says that during her first over she found some turn and therefore, she slowed her pace down. Mentions that it doesn't matter who starts for them, whether it is herself or Chloe Tryon and both try to do the job for the team. Shares that she sticks to her stock delivery which is the arm ball and tries to keep the stumps in play whilst varying the pace.

However, Mlaba struck at just the right moment. In the span of a few deliveries, South Africa removed both set batters, as Bangladesh stumbled from 150/2 to 164/4. But inspired by the solid platform built by the third-wicket stand, Shorna Akter came out firing, restoring balance with a brilliant fifty. And thanks to Mst Ritu Moni's late flourish in the final overs, Bangladesh Women crossed the 200-run mark, adding an impressive 57 runs in the last five overs.

The slow-burn continued with Bangladesh progressing steadily at just three or four runs per over. However, in the 11-20 over period, they significantly reduced their dot-ball percentage by rotating the strike consistently and occasionally finding the boundary. This resistance was eventually broken by Chloe Tryon. The breakthrough caused a mini-collapse as Bangladesh quickly slipped from 53/0 to 73/2, losing the well-set Fargana Hoque in the process. Relief came with the arrival of the skipper, Nigar Sultana Joty, who, alongside Sharmin, managed to build a crucial recovery partnership and gain back some momentum. Despite the ball gripping off the deck and Nonkululeko Mlaba proving effective, the pair established a crucial 77-run partnership, and their combined effort saw Bangladesh score a vital 50 runs in the 31-40 over phase without losing a single wicket, certainly creating anxious moments in the Proteas camp.

Things started quietly, with the Bangladeshi openers displaying great caution. There was no real intent to play big shots early on, but they successfully frustrated the South African bowlers by getting through the Powerplay without losing a wicket, despite managing only 28 runs. By ticking this box, they actually registered their highest opening partnership of the tournament. Despite the accurate bowling of Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas, the lack of a breakthrough in the first ten overs was visibly frustrating the Proteas.

Well done, Bangladesh Women! They’ve delivered an inspiring batting display against the mighty Proteas. From Dhaka to Khulna, Chattogram to Sylhet, this performance will be celebrated across the nation for a long time to come. Batting was their nemesis for a long, long time, but this time around, they ticked several boxes and have posted a really good total on the board. Cricket is the game of momentum, if you don't grab it, it will slip like sand in your hand. South Africa will surely feel they gave away too many runs in the backend, and won't be very pleased with their fielding display either.

Another brace to end the innings! Tumi spots the batter shuffling across and she tries to keep it away from her. On a length, Ritu drags it in front of square on the leg side to the right of deep mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep gets to her right and throws it towards the bowling end. Not the best of throws as it dribbles towards Sinalo Jafta and it is away from her. Sinalo moves to her right and releases an underarm throw at the batting end but she misses. That allows Moni to reach home with a dive. 9 runs off the final over and Bangladesh end up with 232 on the board!

Near the tramline on off, full in length. Mst Ritu Moni walks across and heaves it to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full and on off, jammed out to mid off for a single.

Comedy of errors! And that will be FIFTY FOR AKTER! Shorna raises her bat towards the dugout and Nigar Sultana Joty and Co. are all smiles in a standing ovation. Slower one from Tumi, on a good length, outside off, Akter reaches out and taps it to point. It goes straight to Laura Wolvaardt there and Akter is called through for a quick single by her partner but she is caught ball-watching. Both batters are at the batting end before Shorna starts running towards the bowling end. Laura throws it towards the keeper, Sinalo Jafta, who then tries to lob it towards the bowler but she has her gloves on and her throw goes over and wide of the bowler. The ball rolls towards long on and that allows Shorna to complete the run and also run one more. Also, this is the fastest ODI half century by any Bangladesh Women cricketer in history. Now, that is some achievement from Shorna!

On a length, outside off, Akter swings a bit too hard and loses her shape in the process. Bunts it back to the bowler.

Good running! Tumi bowls the off-cutter and keeps it away from the batter's arc, on a length. Akter is made to reach out and she slams it to the left of long off. Moni comes charging back at the bowling end and reaches home before the throw comes in from the deep.

Kapp to bowl the final over, then? Nope. Interestingly, it will be Tumi Sekhukhune (8-0-48-0) to wrap the first innings with the last 6 deliveries.

Low full toss, on middle, Akter wrists it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 38 runs off the last 2 overs!

SIX! Walloped! Nadine misses her mark and serves it right in the slot, on off. Shorna stays leg side of the ball and gets down on a knee to get under the ball. Pumps it way over the long on fence for a biggie.

Ritu will feel that she has missed out here! Low full toss, on off, Moni backs away to access the off side but ends up slicing it straight to backward point. They cross.

Attacking the stumps, on a length, Ritu walks across her stumps and is deep in the crease. Flicks it to the right of deep backward square leg. It is mopped up in the deep by Nonkululeko Mlaba. Two runs taken.

Full and just outside the off pole. Moni backs away to force it through the off side but is beaten on the outside edge. Sharp collection from Sinalo Jafta standing up to the stumps.