ICC World Cup 2025: Nadine de Klerk Stars Again As South Africa Deny Bangladesh Famous Win

South Africa, on Monday (October 13), pulled off yet another thrilling chase to beat Bangladesh by 3 wickets in the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup 2025. It was their third win in a row and took them to the third spot in the points table.

Just like the game against India, where they were reeling at 81/5 before successfully chasing down 252 runs, South Africa were reduced to 78/5 in pursuit of 233 runs. They were off to a good start and were on 58/1 before suffering a collapse that saw them lose four wickets for just 20 runs.

The collapse was triggered when captain Laura Wolvaardt was run out for 31 runs. Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon then revived their team's hopes by adding 85 runs for the sixth wicket. The partnership was broken by Nahida Akter in the 41st over when she dismissed Kapp for 56 runs.

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The match was evenly poised at that stage with South Africa still needing 70 runs. Kapp's dismissal brought Nadine de Klerk in the middle. Fresh from her heroics against India where she scored a match-winning 84 not out, de Klerk starred with the bat again to take her team home in a thrilling fashion.

Tryon and de Klerk looked comfortable in the middle and it seemed like they would finish the game for South Africa. However, Bangladesh turned the game on its head by dismissing Tryon on 62 with the African outfit still needing 35 runs.

Bangladesh got a golden opportunity to strengthen their grip on the game when de Klerk miscued one in the 49th over but was dropped by Shorna Akter at long-off. It was an expensive miss as de Klerk finished off the contest by hitting a four and a six in the final over. With eight needed, she hit the first ball of the 50th over for a four before hitting the third ball for a six.

Bangladesh post competitive total against South Africa:

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh did well with the bat to post a competitive total of 232/6 in the allotted 50 overs. They reached the 200-run mark for the first time in the ongoing competition. All of Bangladesh's top five batters got the start with the bat.

Out of those five, Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter scored half-centuries. Bangladesh did struggle to score at a good pace for most part of the innings but still managed to post a competitive total thanks to Shorna.

They were on 164/4 in the 43rd over but eventually posted a 230-plus total. Shorna hit three sixes and three fours to score 51 off just 35 balls and helped her team finish strongly with the bat.

South Africa vs Bangladesh brief scores:

Bangladesh 232-6 (50 overs): Shorna Aktere 51* (35); Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-42

South Africa 235-7 (49.3 overs): Chloe Tryon 62 (69); Nahida Akter 2-44

South Africa won by three wickets