Tigresses lose a thriller against Proteas

It was once again a case of so close yet so far for Bangladesh women in the ICC Women's World Cup in India, this time with a heartbreaking three-wicket defeat against South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Monday. 

After beating Pakistan in their opening game by seven wickets, the Tigresses had England on the ropes, only to lose by four wickets eventually. They had an off-day against new Zealand, but looked like causing an upset on Monday once half-centuries from Sharmin Akter Supta and Shorna Akter guided them to a challenging 232-6.

The spinners then squeezed the Proteas batting from the get go, reducing them to 78-5 in the 23rd over. However, half-centuries from Marizanne Kapp (56) and Chloe Tryon (62) guided South Africa towards victory. Once these two fell, Nadine de Clerk, South Africa's hero from the win against India, took charge. She was dropped in the penultimate over and Bangladesh paid the price, losing eventually by three wickets with three balls left.     

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Opener Sharmin Akter (51) and all-rounder Shorna Akter (51*) scored half-centuries as Bangladesh posted 232 for six in their fourth match of the ICC Women's World Cup in Visakhapatnam, India on Monday.

The two half-centuries was of contrasting styles, with Sharmin laying the foundation with a 77-ball 50 while Shorna smashed the fastest half-century for the country with a 35-ball 51 as Bangladesh finished the innings with a flurry of runs.  

Although the total was two runs short of Bangladesh's all-time best score in an World Cup game, it might throw some challenge against the Proteas, given heavy spin armoury at Nigar Sultana Joty's disposal.

All the top-order batters got runs for Bangladesh on a batting-friendly Vizag wicket, with Farzana Hoque (30), Rubya Haider (25), and Sharmin helping laying the foundation. The innings got some momentum when Nigar (32) was joined in by Shorna, who hit three sixes and three fours in her innings. Later Ritu Moni scored an eight-ball 19 as Bangladesh plundered 82 runs off the last 10 overs. 

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Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat first against South Africa in their fourth league stage match of the ICC Women's World Cup in Visakhapatnam, India on Monday.

After consecutive defeats, the Tigresses have recalled the experienced Farzana Hoque and Ritu Moni back into the XI in place of Sumaiya Akter and Nishita Akter.

Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, who made 0 and four in the last two matches against England and New Zealand respectively, needs to get back among runs to strengthen the vulnerable batting unit, which got rolled over for just 127 against the White Ferns.

The Tigresses lost their previous two matches after starting their campaign with a win over Pakistan. Nigar and Co. are currently sixth in the points-table with two points.

Their opponents South Africa are fourth with four points, having beaten New Zealand and India after starting off with a defeat against England.

If Bangladesh fail to win today, their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals would diminish further.

The weather could also play a part in the match as there is considerable cloud covering in Visakhapatnam. 

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Rubya Haider, Fargana Hoque, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana(w/c), Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Shorna Akter, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Ritu Moni, Marufa Akter

South Africa Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt(c), Tazmin Brits, Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Sinalo Jafta(w), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nonkululeko Mlaba