By narenchoudhary6747@gmail.com 
The Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 continued to produce nail-biting thrillers, and Monday’s clash between South Africa and Bangladesh at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam was no exception. It was a match filled with emotion, determination, and heartbreak as Bangladesh fell agonizingly short, losing to South Africa by three wickets in the final over.
Despite their spirited performance and moments of brilliance, Bangladesh were left heartbroken after Nadine de Klerk’s last-over six sealed victory for the Proteas — their third win in a row. It was a result that left Bangladesh’s players emotional, some in tears, as their semifinal hopes took a serious hit.
For Bangladesh, it was yet another game of “what ifs.” What if their fielding had been sharper? What if their bowlers had held their nerve in the dying overs? What if the batters had scored a few more runs in the PowerPlay?
Captain Nigar Sultana Joty admitted after the match that there were several turning points that could have changed the result, but she refused to question her decision to bat first — a call that had raised eyebrows initially.
“Chasing hasn’t been working for us. In the last game, we lost early wickets and couldn’t score freely in the PowerPlay. So, our plan was to bat first and give our bowlers something to defend because they’ve been performing really well as a unit,” Joty said. “That’s why we took the decision to bat first.”
The plan almost worked. Bangladesh’s batting unit, led by the young pair of Shorna Akter and Sharmin Akter Supa, delivered a respectable total of 232/6. But in a game decided by the smallest of margins, missed catches and dew-laden conditions proved costly.
Bangladesh started their innings steadily, keeping wickets intact but struggling to accelerate early on. Sharmin Akter Supa’s patient fifty (50 off 77 balls) anchored the innings, ensuring the team had a solid base. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty chipped in with a valuable 32, while Ritu Moni provided late support with an unbeaten 19*.
However, it was Shorna Akter, the 18-year-old sensation, who injected much-needed firepower into the innings. Her unbeaten 51 off 35 balls, featuring three sixes and three fours, turned a modest score into a competitive total. Bangladesh smashed 57 runs in the final five overs, taking the momentum into the break.
At 232/6, Bangladesh had a total they could defend — or so they thought.
The chase began in dramatic fashion. Nahida Akter gave Bangladesh the perfect start, removing opener Tazmin Brits for a duck in the second over. Soon after, a terrible mix-up between Laura Wolvaardt (31) and Anneke Bosch (28) resulted in a run-out, triggering a collapse.
From 58/1, South Africa crumbled to 78/5, and Bangladesh could smell an upset victory. Their bowlers — Nahida, Rabeya Khan, and Fahima Khatun — bowled tight lines, exploiting the slow pitch beautifully.
At that stage, the energy in the stadium was electric. Every dot ball was cheered, every near-miss celebrated. Bangladesh were in full control, their young bowlers dictating terms against an experienced South African lineup.
But then came the partnership that changed everything.
With their backs against the wall, South Africa found their saviors in Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon. The duo combined aggression with composure, putting together a crucial 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Kapp, calm and composed, anchored the innings with a well-crafted 56 off 71 balls, while Tryon counterattacked with an aggressive 62 off 69 balls.
Bangladesh had their chances to end the partnership early — but as fate would have it, Sumaiya Akter dropped a crucial catch at long-on when Tryon was on 46. That dropped chance hurt Bangladesh dearly as Tryon immediately punished them with a six and a four in the same over.
Once Kapp departed, Tryon continued to push the chase forward, but her unfortunate run-out in the 45th over reignited Bangladesh’s hopes. At that point, South Africa still needed 35 runs with just a few wickets remaining.
The final phase of the game belonged to Nadine de Klerk, South Africa’s new match-finisher. Having sealed victory against India just days earlier with a last-ball six, De Klerk once again held her nerve under pressure.
She built a steady stand with Tryon and, after her partner’s dismissal, took control of the chase. Bangladesh nearly had her in the 49th over when Shorna Akter dropped a sitter — a moment that symbolized Bangladesh’s heartbreak.
With four runs needed off the final four balls, De Klerk unleashed a powerful slog over mid-wicket, sending the ball soaring into the stands for six. The Proteas dugout erupted in celebration, while Bangladesh’s players sank to the ground in disbelief.
South Africa reached 233/7 in 49.3 overs, completing a dramatic comeback and clinching their third consecutive win in the tournament.
As the final six disappeared into the night sky, the Bangladesh players were left devastated. Many of them were seen in tears, consoled by captain Nigar Sultana and support staff.
“It happens sometimes during the game,” Joty said afterward. “It was very difficult — the pressure was on. I don’t want to make excuses, but in such conditions, you really have to keep your nerves calm. Unfortunately, we missed those chances. Maybe if we had held on to those catches, the result could have been different.”
Despite the heartbreak, Joty was full of praise for her team’s effort. “I’m not disappointed, I’m proud. The way our girls fought for every ball — it was not easy to keep such a close game in control at this stage. But they tried their 110%. I’m very happy as a captain.”
Later, in the post-match presentation, an emotional Joty revealed that several players were crying in the dressing room. “They are so young, and they gave everything. I told them to be proud. This is not the last game we will play — we have more chances to show what we can do.”
Joty also pointed out that dew played a major role in the second innings. “Gripping the ball was very difficult because there was a lot of dew. The ball kept getting wet, and it became hard to maintain the right line and length,” she explained.
Still, she preferred to look at the positives. “We’re learning. These matches show us what we should do to get results in our favor. Every game is a lesson for our young side.”
Indeed, Bangladesh’s performance — despite the defeat — reflected a team growing in confidence. Their bowling was disciplined, their batting improving, and their self-belief strong.
The loss marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive defeat, leaving their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread. To stay alive in the tournament, they must now win all their remaining matches.
Their next challenge is a big one — a clash against defending champions Australia on October 16 in Visakhapatnam. It will test their character, but if their spirit against South Africa is anything to go by, the Tigresses will not go down without a fight.
For now, the heartbreak remains — the sting of knowing victory was within reach. But as Nigar Sultana Joty reminded her players, this experience will shape them for the future. “We’ll come back stronger,” she said. “We may have lost this match, but we’ve won belief — and that’s just as important.”
Bangladesh: 232/6 (50 overs)
– Shorna Akter 51* (35), Sharmin Akter Supa 50 (77), Nigar Sultana 32
– Marizanne Kapp 2/38
South Africa: 233/7 (49.3 overs)
– Chloe Tryon 62 (69), Marizanne Kapp 56 (71), Nadine de Klerk 37* (29)
– Nahida Akter 2/44
Result: South Africa won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Nadine de Klerk
In the end, South Africa celebrated another remarkable win, while Bangladesh were left with tears and lessons. Cricket can be cruel — but it is also a teacher. For Bangladesh, this heartbreak could well be the foundation for future triumphs.