Women's World Cup 2025, Match 14 Review: After India, Nadine de Klerk break Bangladesh's hearts

South Africa pulled off yet another nail-biting win in match No. 14 of the ongoing Women's World Cup 2025 at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday, October 13, against Bangladesh.

Nigar Sultana won the toss earlier in the day and opted to bat first. Opening batters Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider batted with caution and added a 53-run stand in 16 overs. Chloe Tryon broke the partnership at the start of the 17th over, sending Haider back to the hut after she had scored 25 off 52 balls.

Sharmin Akhter and Fargana were started to build a partnership when the latter was dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba for a 76-ball 30. Sultana joined forces with Akhter and they added a wonderful 77-run stand off 91 balls to help Bangladesh set up a great platform for the finishers.

Sultana couldn't convert her start, getting dismissed in the 41st over by Mlaba. Akhter was unfortunately run-out for a 77-ball 50 in the 43rd over. After these two wickets fell in quick succession, Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni played blistering knocks at the back-end of the innings to help Bangladesh finish with a fighting score of 232/6. Akter and Moni remained unbeaten on 51 (35) and 19 (8), respectively. Mlaba was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas, finishing with figures of 2/42 in 10 overs.

In reply, South Africa lost the wicket of Tazmin Brits in the second over. The veteran batter registered her second duck in a row. Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch forged a solid 55-run stand off 83 balls to take South Africa to a strong position.

However, Bangladesh bounced back strongly, picking up four wickets in quick succession. From 58/1 in 15 overs, the Proteas slumped to 78/5 in the 23rd over.

South Africa desperately needed a partnership, and it came in the form of an 85-run stand between Tryon and Marizanne Kapp. The latter was eventually dismissed for a 71-ball 56 by Nahida Akter. Tryon stitched a vital 35-run partnership off just 27 balls with Nadine de Klerk for the seventh wicket.

Tryon was dropped on 46 by substitute fielder Sumaiya Akter. She was eventually run-out for a brilliant 69-ball 62 by a sharp piece of fielding by Moni.

De Klerk got good company from Masabata Klaas as the duo took South Africa closer to the target. The star all-rounder was dropped by Shorna at long-off off the bowling of Rabeya Khan in the 49th over. Eight runs were required off the last over, and de Klerk hit a four and six off the first and third deliveries to take her team to a thrilling three-wicket win.