SA-W vs BAN-W

Laura Wolvaardt and co. have been like a wobble toy in this tournament. No matter how hard you try to punch them down, they find a way of getting back up. Today, once again, they were put under immense pressure and still somehow managed to sneak over the finish line. Often, in big tournaments like these spark something special.

Meanwhile Bangladesh can hold their head high. They are a young side and have been giving tough fights to the more experienced teams. Yes, this loss will hurt, as it should, so it enables them to learn from it and bounce back.

On that note, it is time for the duo of Darpan and Pradeep to sign off. Hope to see you again tomorrow when we bring you the live coverage of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand. Till then, goodbye!

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa captain): "Nerves are strong. Probably a lot closer than what we would have liked it to be. We tried to stay as patient as we could. It was a bit frustrating that we did not get wickets early. They applied themselves really well. We tried to keep it at the stumps. Kappy and Chloe were absolutely amazing. Not ideal but we are just getting over the line. In the past, we would be on the losing side of these games. I am sure that there will be a game where our top order fires. Back at the end, Klaas was fabulous. I am sure she would be talking about it for a week to come. 

Nigar Sultana [Bangladesh captain]: "I'm really proud of the girls we fought till the last ball, they are so young. I'm really happy we gave 101% in the ground. We kept believing in ourselves, it's a great learning curve this game has been. We lost early wickets in the powerplay, we wanted to do well there and build on that. We were still 10-15 runs short, that made the difference today. I've been taking about her for a long time, she couldn't give 100% in the middle, but she has the potential. She showed the great character. When we took five wickets, it happened with England too, we let them off the hook. We talked today that, we need to keep hitting the right lengths. They did really well, the result didn't go our way, but I'm proud of them. I'll just them to be proud of yourself, there are three more games, we will hold our head high and turn up every game."

Chloe Tryon is the Player of the Match! Here's what she has to say: "Yeah, look, I've got no words actually. We just want to stick as deep as we could and have Nadine in the back lane just to watch it as best. But I'm happy we got off the line. Walking out at 81 for 5 the other night, 78 for 5 today. Yeah, it was quite familiar. But yeah, we're just nice and calm out there. We just wanted to take it as deep as we could and just kick the runs over and wait for the bad balls to come. Just for a really good partnership because we felt like we needed one of those to take to the back end for the last 10. And we still backed ourselves and chased 18 in the last 10 overs. So, I'm happy that we got off the line today. I think we just kept it nice and simple. We just tried to take it over as much as we could. I think we needed 120 or 110 balls. So, we were nice and calm out there. We were just waiting for the bad balls and running really hard between the wickets. And yeah, it's quite easy with her. She makes it a little bit easier at the end. But yeah, I'm happy that we got the win today. Three on the top. We now head to Colombo. It's been good prep here in Vishakhapatnam. Two amazing games to be a part of. Yeah, no, pretty good. A little bit nerve-racking. But yeah, look, we've got another task ahead of us in Colombo. And yeah, we're going to enjoy this moment. But yeah, big game when we get to Colombo."

10:18 PM IST: South Africa win by 3 wickets.

Chloe Tryon 62 (69) & 1/41 (10) | Marizanne Kapp 56 (71)
Shorna Akhter 51* (35) | Nahida Akhter 2/44 (9.4)

Cricket fans, you know that South Africa is sometimes abbreviated as RSA, don't you? As a kid, I used to wonder what does that "R" stand for. After watching what them play in this tournament, I would like to imagine it stands for "resilience".

Cue in Chumbawamba's Tubthumping because they just keep getting up again! The story was no different today. 78/5 in the 22nd over. Yet, they kept fighting and eventually crossed the line. It was the trio of their experienced all-rounders that did it for them. Marizanne Kapp, who had — by her own lofty standards — a pedestrian day with the ball, played a responsible knock with the bat that soaked up the pressure and ultimately laid the foundation for her (soul)mate Nadine de Klerk to once again provide the finishing touches.

But the biggest contribution came from Chloe Tryon, who deserves to be talked about a little more. Just like she did against India, she anchored South Africa through a difficult period and forged their comeback. She exhibited not just an indomitable fighting spirit, but also a mature head. In addition to that, she also put up a decent showing with the ball.

Bangladesh had their moments. The catch put down by Shorna Akhter in the penultimate over would sting the most. It is fascinating how one moment made the hero of the first innings the villain towards the end. "Great leveller... something, something." You know it. 

However, Shorna can be proud of the way she batted today. It was her blitzkrieg, in addition to an effervescent cameo from Moni, that had helped Bangladesh put up a defendable score. Special mention to Sharmin Akhter, who also scored a half-century, albeit at a much different tempo and helped lay the platform for the final flourish. Alas, in the end, it did not prove to be enough.

49.3 Nahida Akter to Nadine de Klerk, SIX! GAME, SET AND MATCH! It's all over, de Klerk seals the game in style and South Africa pull off another thrilling win. From despair to delight! South Africa script a remarkable comeback, sealing a heart-stopping win by 3 wickets! Heartbreak for Bangladesh, but they must be a proud team with the way they bowled, batted and fielded tonight.

Another high full toss from Nahida, de Klerk the hero again for South Africa, swings across the line and powered it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

49.2 Nahida Akter to Nadine de Klerk, OH! Length delivery on the stumps, de Klerk too early into the sweep, toe ends it back towards the bowler. It's a dot!

49.1 Nahida Akter to Nadine de Klerk, FOUR! What a start to the final over. Skips down the wicket, de Klerk slices it over the top of the inner ring at covers, runs away to the ropes.

Arijit Roy: "Full toss in 48th over, it shows immature cricket"
Of course, it isn't intentional Arijit. There is some dew out there, plus sweaty palms. Not easy to grip the ball.

48.6 Rabeya Khan to Masabata Klaas, OH! Huge mix-up, Klaas gets back safely in the end. Short outside the off-stump, Klaas cuts it away and an excellent stop at covers with a dive. Klaas was half-way down the track, was sent back in time.

48.5 Rabeya Khan to Nadine de Klerk, DROPPED! Shorna drops the game! That was the game right there for Bangladesh, they only have themselves to blame. Full toss on the stumps, de Klerk miscued it straight down the throat of Shorna at long-on, she shells a sitter.

48.3 Rabeya Khan to Nadine de Klerk, OH! Miles up in the air, but falls in no man's land. Full toss into the stumps, de Klerk with sweep hits it straight up around square-leg region.