Bangladesh once more let a winning position slip as they lost by three wickets to South Africa in Visakhapatnam.
The result comes hot on the heels of their defeat to England, where Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 yet fought back to leave England six down for 103 before ultimately losing by four wickets. This time they set a moderate target and again failed to finish the job.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh made a steady start through openers Fargana Hoque and Rubaiya Haider, who put on 53. Rubaiya made 25 from 52 balls and Fargana scored 30 from 76 before both departed. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Shorna Akter rebuilt with a third-wicket stand of 77 off 91 deliveries.
Joty struck 32 from 42 balls while Shorna remained unbeaten on 51 from 35 in a late surge. Bangladesh lost two quick wickets near the end as Sobhana Mostary was run out for nine and Rabeya Khan was bowled without scoring. Ritu Moni added impetus with 19 not out from eight balls to take the total to 232 for six. Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed two wickets while Nadine de Klerk and Chloe Tryon took one apiece.
South Africa’s reply faltered early as they collapsed to 78 for five and looked in serious trouble. Chloe Tryon and Marizanne Kapp launched the recovery with an 85-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Kapp made 56 from 71 balls before she was caught by Shorna off Nahida Akter.
Tryon then combined with de Klerk in another rebuilding effort. In the 44th over, fielding errors proved costly for Bangladesh when Sumaiya Akter dropped Tryon at deep midwicket and the ball went for four, bringing up her fifty from 64 balls. She followed it with a six the next delivery.
Their stand of 35 ended when Ritu Moni ran out Tryon for 62. Bangladesh then missed further chances in the field as de Klerk and Masabata Klaas guided South Africa home. De Klerk was unbeaten on 37 from 39 balls and Klaas contributed 10 from 13 deliveries to seal victory.
Bangladesh’s bowlers made early inroads but inconsistent fielding once again undermined their effort.
