De Klerk’s heroics seal thrilling win for South Africa over Bangladesh

Nadine de Klerk produced a match-winning cameo to steer South Africa to a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 encounter on Monday.

Chasing 233 for victory after Bangladesh posted 232/6, South Africa needed eight runs off the final over.

De Klerk, who survived a dropped catch in the penultimate over, seized the moment, smashing a six to seal the win with three balls to spare.

The victory marked South Africa’s third consecutive win of the tournament, propelling them to third place on the points table with six points from four matches.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, slipped to their third straight defeat after a promising start to the campaign.

Earlier, Marizanne Kapp (56) and Chloe Tryon (62) anchored South Africa’s innings with a crucial 85-run partnership after the Proteas had stumbled to 78/5.

Their stand revived the chase, setting the stage for De Klerk’s composed finish alongside Masabata Klaas.

For Bangladesh, Nahida Akter (2/44) was the standout performer, while Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khatun, and Ritu Moni claimed a wicket each.

Nahida struck early, dismissing Tazmin Brits for a duck, before a steady fifty-run stand between Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch helped South Africa recover.

However, Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling brought them back into contention before De Klerk’s late flourish turned the tables.

In the first innings, Bangladesh struggled early, managing only 28 runs in the powerplay, but openers Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider built the team’s highest opening stand of the tournament.

Haider was dismissed by Tryon, and Hoque soon followed, trapped LBW by Nonkululeko Mlaba.

Captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akter steadied the innings with a 70-run stand before Akter scored a patient 50, and Shorna Akter took charge with a blistering 51 off 33 balls, featuring three fours and three sixes — the fastest fifty of the tournament.

Shorna and Ritu Moni added 37 runs in the final three overs, lifting Bangladesh to a competitive total of 232/6.

Bangladesh, who began their campaign with a memorable win over Pakistan, now face defending champions Australia on October 16, while South Africa will look to continue their momentum against hosts Sri Lanka the following day.