Despite Shorna Akter’s record-breaking fifty, Bangladesh fell short even after taking a competitive total of 232 runs, unable to dismiss South Africa’s five wickets for just 78 runs.
Several dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities proved costly for Bangladesh. Even with Shorna’s fifty giving the team a solid platform, Nigar Sultana’s side couldn’t capitalize on the advantage.
In a thrilling Women’s ODI World Cup encounter on Monday, Bangladesh lost to South Africa by three wickets. Chasing 233, South Africa reached the target with three balls to spare.
On a slow pitch in Visakhapatnam, South Africa found themselves in trouble at 78 for 5. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers couldn’t maintain the pressure. A crucial sixth-wicket partnership of 85 runs between Marizan Cap and Chloe Tryon took the visitors closer to the target. Two subsequent partnerships of over thirty runs sealed the win for South Africa.
Bangladesh still had a chance in the final moments. With South Africa needing nine runs off eight balls, Shorna, one of Bangladesh’s best fielders, dropped a simple catch at long-off to Nadine de Klerk. De Klerk finished the match in the final over, scoring 37 not out off 29 balls with four fours and a six, taking South Africa home.
Tryon, recognized as the player of the match, scored 62 off 69 balls, including six fours and a six.
The defeat marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive loss since the tournament began, while South Africa, after losing their opening game, celebrated three successive wins in run chases. They had also defeated India by three wickets in the previous match.
Despite the dropped catch, it was an impressive day with the bat for Shorna. She scored 51 not out off 35 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, setting the record for the fastest fifty for Bangladesh in Women’s ODIs. The first five batters for Bangladesh all contributed at least 25 runs, with Sharmin Akter scoring 50 off 77 balls.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh got off to a good start with a 53-run opening partnership between Farzana Haque and Rubaiya Haider. Rubaiya made 25 off 52 balls, while Farzana, returning after two matches, scored 30 off 76 balls.
Sharmin and Nigar added 77 off 91 balls for the third wicket. After Sharmin reached her fifty, she was run out. Sobhana Mostari and Rabeya Khan couldn’t stay long, leaving Shorna to take charge from the fifth position. Alongside Ritu, she put on an unbeaten 37-run seventh-wicket partnership, taking Bangladesh to 232.
Shorna completed her fifty in the final over off 34 balls. Previously, the fastest fifty record for Bangladesh was held by Nigar, who achieved it in 39 balls. Ritu contributed 19 off 8 balls, including three fours.
Bangladesh started strongly with the ball as well. Left-arm spinner Nahida dismissed Tajmin Brits with her very first delivery of the second over, ending Brits’ streak of four consecutive centuries in five innings.
Another opener, Ulvert, could have been dismissed early, but a chance was dropped by leg-spinner Rabeya Khan in the fourth over. Ulvert survived on 11. She and Aneka Bashir added 55 runs, pushing South Africa forward. Bangladesh soon dismissed both in quick succession—Ulvert on 31 and Bash on 28.
Rabeya removed Derksen shortly after, and Fahima sent back Sinalo Jaftha, putting South Africa under pressure. For 42 deliveries, they didn’t hit a boundary.
Due to dew, Bangladesh bowlers struggled with grip and occasionally bowled loose deliveries, allowing Cap and Tryon to build a big partnership. Nahida finally broke the 71-run partnership by dismissing Cap for 56. Tryon, however, completed her fifty off 64 balls.
Despite opportunities to dismiss her via run-out or a catch, Tryon hit a six and a four in quick succession and remained unbeaten. Another missed run-out and Shorna’s dropped catch allowed South Africa to secure a dramatic victory.
Bangladesh had previously shown promise against England but ultimately ended up losing.
Brief Scores
- Bangladesh: 232/6 in 50 overs (Farzana 30, Rubaiya 25, Sharmin 50, Nigar 32, Shorna 51, Sobhana 9, Rabeya 0, Ritu 19*; Cap 6-0-27-0, Class 6-0-22-0, de Klerk 9-0-39-1, Tryon 10-0-41-1, Sekhukhune 9-0-57-0, Emlaba 10-0-42-2)
- South Africa: 235/7 in 49.3 overs (Ulvert 31, Brits 0, Bash 28, Derksen 2, Cap 56, Jaftha 4, Tryon 62, de Klerk 37*, Class 10*; Marufa 4-0-27-0, Nahida 9.3-0-44-2, Rabeya 10-0-48-1, Fahima 10-0-51-1, Ritu 10-1-29-1, Shorna 4-0-25-0, Sobhana 2-0-9-0)
Result: South Africa won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Chloe Tryon
