DUNEDIN — In a tense, low-scoring affair that went down to the wire, South Africa survived a monumental scare to defeat a determined Bangladesh by three wickets in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match at the University Oval. Just as she did in their tournament opener, the ice-cool all-rounder Nadine de Klerk was the protagonist, steering her side to a nervy victory and keeping their semi-final hopes firmly alive.
Chasing a modest target of 115, the Proteas were expected to canter to victory. Instead, they found themselves embroiled in a desperate battle against a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack, led superbly by left-arm spinner Nahida Akter. The chase descended into chaos, reducing South Africa to 94 for 7 and sending a wave of anxiety through their camp and supporters. It was a scenario few had predicted, but one that showcased the growing competitiveness of women's cricket.
A Bowling Masterclass from Both Ends
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh found the going tough from the outset against a potent South African pace attack. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka bowled with relentless accuracy, exploiting the early conditions. Kapp, in particular, was virtually unplayable, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 12 from her 10 overs, which included an incredible seven maidens.
Bangladesh's innings never found momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Key batters like Fargana Hoque and captain Nigar Sultana were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team in a precarious position. A late, fighting knock of 30 from Fahima Khatun provided some respectability to the total, allowing Bangladesh to post 114 before being bowled out in the 49th over.
South Africa's bowling figures told the story of their dominance with the ball:
- Marizanne Kapp: 10 overs, 7 maidens, 12 runs, 3 wickets
- Ayabonga Khaka: 9.3 overs, 2 maidens, 21 runs, 3 wickets
- Nadine de Klerk: 8 overs, 1 maiden, 20 runs, 2 wickets
Despite the low total, Bangladesh's bowlers came out with a point to prove, setting the stage for a dramatic second innings.
The Proteas' Batting Collapse
The South African run-chase began disastrously. Veteran opener Laura Wolvaardt fell early, and while Lara Goodall provided some stability with a patient 28, the innings began to unravel against the spin of Nahida Akter and Fariha Trisna. The Bangladeshi spinners exploited the pressure, with the South African middle order crumbling in a heap of poor shots and misjudgments.
From a relatively comfortable 69 for 3, South Africa lost four wickets for just 25 runs, plunging to 94 for 7. The required run rate was never an issue, but the loss of wickets created immense scoreboard pressure. Key players like Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon were dismissed cheaply, leaving the outcome of the match hanging in the balance. The atmosphere in Dunedin was electric, with the small but vocal Bangladeshi contingent sensing a historic upset.
De Klerk: The Finisher, Again
Just as she had done days prior against England, where she scored an unbeaten 28 to secure a tight win, Nadine de Klerk walked into the cauldron with her team in deep trouble. Displaying remarkable composure, she shelved any flashy shots and focused on rotating the strike and picking up the occasional boundary. She found a capable partner in Nonkululeko Mlaba, and together they forged a crucial, unbroken 24-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
De Klerk carefully navigated the final overs, finally slicing a boundary to seal the victory with 17 balls to spare. She finished unbeaten on 21 from 36 balls, a innings of immense value under extreme pressure. Reflecting on the tense finish, a relieved de Klerk stated:
"It was very nerve-wracking. We knew it was going to be a scrap, but maybe not that much of a scrap. I'm just glad I could be there at the end again."
A Statement of Intent from Bangladesh
While the result was a loss, the match served as a monumental statement from the Bangladesh team. Their bowling and fielding performance demonstrated that they are no longer mere participants but genuine competitors capable of challenging the world's best. Captain Nigar Sultana, though disappointed, was proud of her team's effort.
"We fought really hard. The bowlers did an exceptional job to bring us back into the game. We just fell a few runs short with the bat."
Looking Ahead for the Proteas
For South Africa, the victory was far from pretty, but the two points were paramount. The win places them in a strong position in the tournament table, but it also exposed vulnerabilities in their batting lineup under pressure. Captain Laura Wolvaardt acknowledged the need for improvement, saying:
"A win is a win, and we'll take the two points. It wasn't our best performance with the bat, and we have a lot to reflect on. But the character shown by the lower order, especially Nadine, was incredible. We need to be better, but we fight to the end."
The match served as a stark reminder that in modern cricket, no target is a given. South Africa lives to fight another day, their campaign bolstered by another clutch performance from their premier finisher, while Bangladesh earned the respect of the cricketing world with a display of grit and skill that promises more exciting contests in the future.