Batsman: South Africa’s Tazmin Blitz was Saturday’s top scorer (Marco Longari)
South Africa took a step closer to Saturday’s Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh, but the fate of the tournament remains in the hands of England and West Indies.
After restricting Bangladesh to 106-3 in 20 overs, South Africa reached their target with 16 balls to spare.
They are at the top of Group B with 6 points with 3 wins and 1 loss.
However, 2009 champions England are likely to secure one of the semi-final spots as they have won two so far and still have two games in hand.
If that happens, South Africa and West Indies will be competing for the bottom spot.
2016 champions West Indies have four points but have a better net run rate than South Africa, but the Caribbean side must face England in their final pool match on Tuesday.
Man of the match Tazmin Blitz led 2023 runners-up South Africa to victory on Saturday with a solid 42 off 41 balls (there were five fours in the innings).
After Anneke Bosch completed a 25-run-a-ball, Marizanne Kapp (13 not out) and Chloe Tryon (14 not out) welcomed the team home.
“The way we handled the ball was great. We wanted to chase the ball faster and it showed, but we just couldn’t get there,” said South Africa captain Laura Wahlwaardt, whose team added 13 shots. He lamented the loss. When Bangladesh batted.
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, but lost their opening batsman Dilara Akhter in vain on the second ball.
The Asian side was unable to make any progress against South Africa’s attacks.
Sobhana Mostari top-scored while skipper Nigar Sultana hit an unbeaten 32 off 38 deliveries, her 38 taking 43 balls.
Kapp recorded 1 win and 10 losses in his medium-paced four overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba finished with 1 win and 11 losses.
Off-break bowler Mlaba enjoyed an impressive tournament with the ball, finishing as the top wicket-taker with nine wickets in four matches.
“There’s a lot of intention and emotion there,” Bangladesh captain Sultana said after the tournament, which yielded just one win, an opening-day win against Scotland.
“You have to be mentally strong in a tournament like this. So many people came to support us and it felt like we were at home. Although we didn’t get a good result, There was love.”
DJ/MW
