SA W VS BD W MATCH 20

That is it then from this game and also from the group stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023. The action now switches to the semi-finals and in the first semi-final, it will be the unbeaten Australia Women going up against India Women at the Newlands in Cape Town. That game will be played on Thursday the 23rd of February and will begin at 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT). You can however join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The South Africa Women skipper, Sune Luus says that the openers did well to battle through and showed their skills. Adds that the openers were brilliant and 114 runs to get wasn't difficult on this track. Mentions that back-to-back semi-finals is a good achievement and playing at a packed Newlands will be amazing. Adds that she was just a spectator in this game and this opportunity to play in a home semi-final doesn't come around often in a lifetime and goes on to applaud the crowd at Newlands.

Nigar Sultana, the captain of Bangladesh Women says that a total of at the very least 140 plus was required up against a team of the quality that South Africa possesses. Adds that the team did not manage to put up partnerships with subsequent numbers in the middle and that cost us. On fielding, she adds that if they continue to miss this many chances it becomes impossible to get a win against a quality side. She ends up thanking the Bangladesh supporters and says that they feel blessed to have such an amazing fanbase that never leaves them alone at any venue.

Laura Wolvaardt (66* off 56 balls) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her match-winning innings. Laura says they were under a bit of pressure to start off with as it was a bit of mental pressure but as the game progressed they settled well. She adds that they made it look a bit harder than it really was, and the track was brilliant to bat on. She closes by saying it is so special to play in the semis at home and a bit tastier after starting the way we did with a defeat against Sri Lanka. On her form, she says that she hasn't been amongst the runs but it feels so good to click on the most important moment.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Nigar Sultana won the toss and opted to bat first but this didn't turn out to be a positive one as Bangladesh Women got off to a pretty poor start. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Shabnim Ismail kept things tight and South Africa Women got wickets at well. Nigar Sultana and Sobhana Mostary did put up a fight in the middle phase but once Mostary got out, the innings started to fall apart. The likes of Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka were able to run through the middle and lower order and ended with a couple of wickets each. Coming to the chase, it was virtually a quarterfinal for the hosts and their openers stepped up big time as both scored half-centuries and took South Africa Women into the semi-finals.

Bangladesh Women have been humbled here and unfortunately for them, they finish the tournament without a single win under their belt. They started off well with the ball as Marufa Akter swung the ball and then the spinners came in and kept things tight. However, they failed to pick up a wicket and the bowlers were let down as a few stumping and catching opportunities went down. In the end, they never really had enough runs on the board to compete and were blown away by the hosts with ease.

With just 114 runs needed for victory, all South Africa Women needed was a solid start and even though they didn't quite get that, the openers didn't give away their wicket. After being 43/0 at the halfway stage, both Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits upped the ante and especially the former played a few delightful shots. Both batters got to their respective half-centuries and saw their side over the line without any fuss. The hosts will now face a rampant England Women's team for a place in the grand finale.

A first-ever semi-final at home for the Proteas (Men's or Women's cricket team) in an ICC event and the crowd in the Newlands goes wild. It was a pretty solid performance from them from start to finish albeit with a few sluggish moments but South Africa Women will be ecstatic to have reached the playoff phases. This also means that New Zealand Women are knocked out of the tournament and we have our four confirmed semi-finalists.

FOUR! The Proteas are through to the semis. Full and wide outside off, Laura Wolvaardt drives this past the cover region for a boundary to end the game and seal a spot in the last 4.

FOUR! The scores are level with strokeplay of the highest order. Full and wide outside off, Laura Wolvaardt slices this late through the channel behind the wicket at short third for a boundary.

Full and wide outside off, Laura Wolvaardt looks to drive but gets beaten.

Fuller around middle, Laura Wolvaardt finds the gap at the mid-wicket region for a couple.

Full and wide outside off, Tazmin Brits drives this to long off for a single. Half-century to Tazmin Brits.

Fuller outside off, Tazmin Brits bottom edges this back towards the keeper for nothing.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Laura Wolvaardt cuts this fine and wide of short third man for a boundary behind the wicket.

A slight in delay in proceedings as Nigar Sultana, the captain of Bangladesh Women has got her left knee stuck in the turf and is in a bit of pain. The physio is out to have a look and hopefully, she is fine. Everything seems fine and we are good to continue.