Visakhapatnam: Nadine de Klerk demonstrated icy-cool demeanour under pressure and shepherded South Africa to a three-wicket win over Bangladesh in a thrilling Women’s World Cup match here on Monday.
Set 233, premier all-rounders Marizanne Kapp (56 off 71 balls) and Chloe Tryon (62 off 69 balls) struck vital fifties to help South Africa mount a remarkable fightback after they were tottering at 78/5 in the 23rd over, with an 85-run stand for the sixth wicket.
In the end, South Africa completed the task with three balls to spare.
After their dismissals, Nadine de Klerk, who was dropped by Shorna Akter at long-off in the penultimate over, finished the job with a four and a six to remain unbeaten on 37 off 29 balls.
De Klerk had also played a match winning knock against India.
The dew was a problem for the Bangladesh spinners, who joined the party after young Shorna’s blistering 35-ball 51 not out lifted Bangladesh to 232/6 after a slow start.
Before the 18-year-old Shorna stepped on the accelerator, Sharmin Akhter (50 off 77 balls) and captain Nigar Sultana (32 off 42) added 77 runs for the third wicket to anchor the Bangladesh innings.
With the bowling being their strength, Bangladesh were off to great start as left-arm spinner Nahida Akter packed off Tazmin Brits for a golden duck when she had the opener caught and bowled with just three runs on the board.
Skipper Laura Wolvaardt (31 off 56) and Anneke Bosch (28 off 35) stitched together 55 runs before Bangladesh received a gift in the form of the South Africa captain’s run out following a horrible mix-up which saw both batters stranded in the middle of the pitch.
Eventually, Wolvaardt crossed Bosch, and Nigar Sultana did the rest. agencies