T20 World Cup, Group 1, Lordโs
Bangladesh 117-5 (20 overs): Mostari 42 (48); Mlaba 2-22
South Africa 118-6 (19.2 overs): Derksen 45 (45); Nahida 2-24
South Africa won by four wickets
System of indicators. Tables
South Africa had stuttered earlier but eventually put the pressure on India by beating Bangladesh by four wickets in their final group match.
Having beaten India and amassed 208-1 against the Netherlands in the previous two games, they produced an indifferent performance reminiscent of their first two games.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt fell to the first ball of the chase, her stump pushed away by opener Marufa Akhtar, and when Dane van Niekerk was trapped lbw for three, the Proteas were 59-3 ahead at halfway.
Annerie Derksen threatened to take them home but she fell behind by 45 runs in the 15th over before the boundaries dried up and tensions rose.
Marizanne Kapp was bowled out for 16 and Nadine de Klerk was caught deep at mid-wicket and five more runs were needed before Chloe Tryon took four and bowled an off-side to secure victory with four balls to spare.
South Africa at least had better possession.
Kapp bowled Juairiyah Ferdous first ball of the match and despite some middle-order resistance from Sobhana Mostariโs cautious 42 and captain Nigar Sultanaโs late flurry of off-the-cuff 32s, Bangladesh still made only 117-5.
But after a confrontation far tighter than it should have been, they are progressing, hoping to end a run of three consecutive World Cup final defeats.
However, based on this, they must improve to beat England.