Bangladesh batted first in Visakhapatnam and managed to post 232/6 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a fine unbeaten 51 off 35 balls by Shorna Akter. At the top of the order, Sharmin Akhter scored 50 from 77 deliveries, while captain and wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana contributed 32.

Nonkululeko Mlaba was the pick of the Proteas bowlers, with the spinner taking 2/42 in her full quota of 10 overs. Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk each picked up a wicket.

Shorna Akter scoring the fastest half-century of the World Cup. Photo: Cricinfo

In reply, South Africa suffered a shaky start as opening batter Tazmin Brits was dismissed for a second successive duck – caught and bowled – leaving the Proteas in early trouble.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt added a patient 31 off 56 balls before being run out after some sloppy calling between herself and Anneke Bosch. Just three balls later, Bosch fell for 28 following a loose shot.

With South Africa in trouble at 78/5, Marizanne Kapp and Tryon steadied the ship with a crucial 85-run stand to reignite the chase. Kapp made 56 off 71 before being caught, swinging the momentum back towards Bangladesh. 

Tryon and De Klerk then dug deep for a 35-run partnership, with Tryon eventually run out for a valuable 62.

Chloe Tryon. Photo: Cricinfo

South Africa still needed 35 runs off the final 25 balls with just three wickets in hand. De Klerk and Masabata Klaas held their nerve, taking it to the final over with eight runs required. De Klerk immediately put the pressure back on Bangladesh by smashing a boundary off the first ball. 

After a dot ball, she produced a clutch six – her second match-winning hit in as many games – to seal the victory with three balls to spare.

De Klerk finished unbeaten on 37 off 29 deliveries, while Klaas ended with ten not out. Nahida Akter was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, returning figures of 2/44 from 9.3 overs.

The Proteas will count themselves fortunate, as Bangladesh dropped one or two crucial catches that could have changed the complexion of the match entirely.

Following the win, Player of the Match Tryon said she was happy the team found a way to get the job done, even though she would’ve liked to be there at the end. “I wish I could’ve stayed in for the last few runs and actually taken the team over the line.

“I’ve just been taking that responsibility coming in early – like in the India game and today as well. Marizanne and I spoke about taking it as deep as possible and just ticking it over.

“We knew we had time and Nadine was still to come, so we tried to keep things low-risk and chip away at the runs. I’m just happy we keep finding ways to get over the line.”

The Proteas now travel to Colombo, where they’ll face co-hosts Sri Lanka on Friday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Play is scheduled to get underway at 11:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek