South Africa kept their Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final push alive with a nervy four-wicket win over Bangladesh at Lord’s, a result that sharply raises the pressure on India before their group-stage finale against Australia.
The Proteas were chasing only 118, but Bangladesh turned a modest defence into a genuine scrap before South Africa reached 118/6 with four balls to spare. The result moved South Africa to eight points and left Bangladesh out of contention, according to the ICC qualification picture.
Dercksen steadies South Africa’s chase
Bangladesh had made 117/5, with Sobhana Mostary’s 42 giving their innings some shape after South Africa’s attack kept the scoring rate under control. The chase should have been routine, but Laura Wolvaardt fell first ball and the later dismissals of Tazmin Brits and Dane van Niekerk left South Africa wobbling.
Annerie Dercksen’s 45 became the decisive intervention. The ICC’s live report noted that her wicket briefly revived Bangladesh at 91/4, but South Africa still had enough lower-order control to get home and force India into a must-win equation against Australia.
It also gives new weight to South Africa’s net-run-rate race at Lord’s. The win was not emphatic, but at this stage of a compressed group, two points matter more than polish.
Key match details: Bangladesh 117/5; South Africa 118/6; South Africa won by four wickets with four balls remaining.
