Bangladesh rue missed chances as South Africa edge thriller in Visakhapatnam

CATCHES win matches. This age-old cricketing saying has cemented itself into the game due to the simple fact that it proves true time and time again. 

A key catch, taken at a critical juncture of the game, can change the course of a contest. By contrast, fumbling a ball, whether it be a “dolly” or a sharp chance, will more often than not have the losing team agonising over the “what ifs” and “if onlys”.

And on Monday at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 match in Visakhapatnam, Bangladesh found out just how costly missed chances can be.

Three dropped catches – of Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk – came back to haunt the Tigresses as South Africa’s middle order produced a spirited recovery to seal a thrilling three-wicket win.

Bangladesh post competitive total

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh built steadily on a slow surface. Openers Fargana Hoque and Rubya Haider weathered early swing to put on a 50 stand before Tryon broke through, having Haider caught at mid-on for 25.

Nonkululeko Mlaba soon trapped Fargana for 30, and despite a 77-run third-wicket partnership between captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akhter (50), South Africa’s bowlers kept a lid on the scoring.

A flurry of wickets saw both Sobhana Mostary and Rabeya Khan dismissed cheaply, but 18-year-old Shorna Akter’s explosive unbeaten 51 off 34 balls – the fastest 50 of the tournament – and Ritu Moni’s late cameo pushed Bangladesh to 232/6 from their 50 overs.

Mlaba was the pick of the SA bowlers with 2/42, while Nadine de Klerk kept things tight with 1/39.

Dropped catches keep Proteas in the game

South Africa’s chase got off to a stuttering start as Tazmin Brits was dismissed for a golden duck, before Wolvaardt – dropped early on 11 – combined with Anneke Bosch for a steady 55-run stand.

But Bangladesh’s spinners hit back. Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan and Fahima Khatun all struck to leave the Proteas wobbling at 78/5.

That brought Marizanne Kapp (56) and Chloe Tryon (62) together for a game-saving 85-run partnership. Tryon, too, benefited from a reprieve when she was dropped in the 44th over – an over that saw her reach 50 and strike three boundaries.

When Kapp fell trying to lift the scoring rate, the contest was still finely poised. Tryon’s run-out for 62 put the pressure back on South Africa, but de Klerk, who had earlier been dropped on 26, made sure there was no late heartbreak.

De Klerk seals it in style

With eight runs required from the final over, De Klerk smashed a six over deep square leg to clinch victory with three balls to spare, finishing unbeaten on 37.

The result lifted South Africa to third on the World Cup table with six points from four matches – their third consecutive win – while Bangladesh slumped to their third defeat.

The Proteas next face hosts Sri Lanka on Friday, October 17, while Bangladesh will meet defending champions Australia on Thursday.

Score summary

Bangladesh 232/6 from 50.0 overs (Shorna Akter 51*, Sharmin Akhter 50; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2/42, Nadine de Klerk 1/39)

South Africa 235/7 from 49.3 overs (Chloe Tryon 62, Marizanne Kapp 56; Nahida Akter 2/44, Ritu Moni 1/29)

Result: South Africa won by 3 wickets