Tigresses sign off with defeat, secure direct qualification for 2028

Despite a spirited bowling effort while defending a below-par total, Bangladesh suffered a four-wicket defeat to South Africa in their final Group A match, ending their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign on a losing note at Lord's on Sunday.

Asked to bat first, the Tigresses endured a dreadful start, losing openers Juairiya Ferdous (0) and Taj Nehar (1) cheaply. Sobhana Mostary then steadied the innings with a patient 42 off 48 balls before skipper Nigar Sultana Joty provided late impetus with an unbeaten 32 off just 20 deliveries, guiding Bangladesh to 117 for five from their 20 overs.

South Africa's reply began with a setback as captain Laura Wolvaardt fell for a first-ball duck to a superb delivery from Marufa Akter.

Tazmin Brits (20) and Annerie Dercksen repaired the damage with a 52-run stand for the second wicket before Bangladesh hit back with two quick breakthroughs.

Although the Proteas continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, Bangladesh's modest total offered little margin for error. Dercksen anchored the chase with a run-a-ball 45, while Marizanne Kapp (16) and Nadine de Klerk (15) kept South Africa on course.

The contest briefly sprang to life when Ritu Moni dismissed Nadine in the penultimate over, leaving South Africa needing five runs from the last six balls. Chloe Tryon (eight not out), however, ended Bangladesh's hopes by edging Marufa for four off the first delivery of the final over before driving the next ball over the infield to seal victory.

Nahida Akter was Bangladesh's most successful bowler with two wickets, while Marufa, Shanjida Akter Meghla and Ritu Moni claimed one apiece.

The win kept South Africa's semifinal hopes alive as they finished the group stage with eight points from five matches. They now need Australia to beat India in Sunday's second match at the Home of Cricket to book a place in the last four.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, finished fourth in the six-team Group A with two wins from five matches. Despite missing out on the semifinals, the Tigresses secured direct qualification for the 2028 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Pakistan.

Under the tournament's qualification criteria, the top four teams from each group, along with hosts Pakistan, qualify automatically for the next edition. The remaining automatic berth will go to the highest-ranked side in the ICC Women's T20I rankings as of the July 6, 2026 cut-off date, while the final two places will be decided through a 10-team Global Qualifier featuring teams from regional qualifying tournaments.