Nadine de Klerk got South Africa over the line again as they recovered from another top-order collapse to beat Bangladesh by three wickets at the Women’s World Cup.
Having been set 233 to win in Visakhapatnam, the Proteas slipped to 78-5 before half-centuries from Chloe Tryon, who made 62 from 69 balls, and Marizanne Kapp, 56 from 71 balls, brought them back into contention.
Kapp fell with 70 still needed to bring De Klerk – fresh from her heroics against India – to the middle, and for a time it seemed that she and Tryon would get South Africa home comfortably.
Instead, Tryon was run out with 35 required and there were more uncomfortable moments to come as De Klerk twice miscued in the penultimate over with match in the balance.
While the first skied shot landed safely, the second went straight to long-off but Shorna Akter dropped the catch – a particularly cruel moment given it was the 18-year’s superb 34-ball fifty that had earlier taken Bangladesh up to a competitive total.
But having been given that life, De Klerk – who ended unbeaten on 37 from 29 balls – made sure she finished the job and a mighty six over the leg side sealed the victory with three balls to spare.
While South Africa can celebrate a third straight win, and a second in a row in which they have battled back from a losing position, Bangladesh are left to rue a number of crucial dropped catches.
Rabeya Khan put down a simple chance off her own bowling to give Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt a chance early on.
Sub fielder Soumya Akter then dropped Tryon on 46 off Rabeya’s bowling in the 44th over, allowing the ball to run away for four, with the next ball disappearing for six before Shorna’s drop late on.