South Africa Women cruise past Bangladesh Women with 7‑wicket win at T20 World Cup

Match Overview

The Dubai International Stadium hosted Match 16 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 on October 12, and the game turned into a textbook chase for South Africa Women. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat, but their total of 106 for 3 after the full 20 overs turned out to be the lowest full‑quota score ever recorded in a World Cup match where the batting side lost three or fewer wickets.

Bangladesh’s innings started badly when opening bowler Marizanne Kapp got Dilara Akter out for just two runs in the very first over. Shathi Rani added 19 runs off 30 balls before Annerie Dercksen dismissed her. The innings’ backbone came from Sobhana Mostary, who struck 38 runs from 43 balls, including four boundaries, before Nonkululeko Mlaba bowled her. Captain and keeper Nigar Sultana stayed unbeaten on 32 from 38 balls, while Shorna Akter contributed a quick 4 not out. Extras piled up 13 runs, largely from wides (11) and leg‑byes (2).

South Africa’s bowling was tight and economical. Marizanne Kapp led with figures of 1 for 10 in four overs (economy 2.50). Nonkululeko Mlaba followed with 1 for 11 (economy 2.75). Annerie Dercksen bowled a single over that yielded 1 wicket for just 7 runs. The remaining bowlers – Ayabonga Khaka, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon and Sune Luus – kept the run rate in check, making sure Bangladesh never built any momentum.

Chasing a modest target of 107, South Africa approached the game with caution. Tazmin Brits anchored the innings, playing a measured 42 off 41 balls and earning the Player of the Match award. Anneke Bosch chipped in a steady 25 from 25 balls, while Chloe Tryon finished unbeaten on 14 off 13. Captain Laura Wolvaardt added useful runs, ensuring the chase never slipped away. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Fahima Khatun’s 2 for 19 and Mst Ritu Moni’s 1 for 22, managed a few breakthroughs but could not halt the steady flow of runs.

South Africa reached 107 for 3 in just 17.2 overs, winning by 7 wickets with 16 balls to spare. The win lifted them to six points in the league stage and gave them a net run rate of 1.382, a slight dip from the 1.527 they held earlier in the tournament.

Implications for the Tournament

The victory kept South Africa in contention for a semi‑final spot, but their net run rate dip meant they now have to watch the outcomes of England’s and West Indies’ remaining group matches closely. Captain Laura Wolvaardt had earlier mentioned that batting second helped them control the net run rate, but a slower chase can also pull the NRR down, as this match demonstrated.

Bangladesh’s loss sealed their fate in the group stage. With only one win to their name, they exited the World Cup early. The gap in quality between the two sides was evident – South Africa’s disciplined bowling and measured batting proved the difference.

Key takeaways from the game include:

• Bangladesh’s low total highlighted the importance of building partnerships early, even when wickets are in hand.
• South Africa’s bowlers combined tight lines with low economies, putting pressure on the opposition.
• Tazmin Brits’ innings showed how a calm, well‑timed attack can steer a chase to success.
• Net run rate remains a crucial factor in World Cup group stages; a slow chase can offset earlier advantages.

As the tournament moves into its final league matches, South Africa will need a strong finish to secure a semi‑final berth, while Bangladesh will head home to regroup and aim for better outcomes at future events.