By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Proteas women’s team held their nerve to edge past Bangladesh at the T20 Women’s World Cup in London on Sunday and keep alive their hopes of making it to the semi-finals.
They won by four wickets with just four balls remaining, having chased 118 to win.
The victory, the team’s fourth in a row after losing to Australia in their opening match, gave the Proteas eight log points, two more than India, who were to face Australia later in the day.
Having beaten India and piled up 208-1 against Netherlands in their previous two games, they put in an indifferent batting performance reminiscent of their opening two games.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt fell to the first ball of the chase, her off stump knocked back by a Marufa Aktar inswinger, and when Dane van Niekerk was trapped lbw for three the Proteas were 59-3 at the halfway stage.
Annerie Dercksen threatened to take them home but she edged behind for 45 in the 15th over after which the boundaries dried up and the tension rose.
Marizanne Kapp was run out for 16 and Nadine de Klerk was caught at deep mid-wicket with five runs still needed before Chloe Tryon edged a four and cleared the off side to secure victory with four balls to spare.
South Africa were at least better with the ball.
Kapp bowled Juairiya Ferdous with the first ball of the match and, despite some middle-order resistance through a careful 42 by Sobhana Mostary and the late flurry of captain Nigar Sultana’s 32 not out, Bangladesh still only made 117-5.
Caption: Kevin Rademeyer, Fullview Reporter at Lords Cricket Ground in England.
But, after an affair far more tense than it should have been, they face a nervy wait to see if Australia can beat India to send them through.
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.
Bangladesh: Juariya Ferdous, Taj Nehar, Sobhana Mostary, Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Sharmin Akhter, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Nahida Akter, Marufa Akter, Sanjida Akter Meghla.