ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 | Match 14: Bangladesh vs South Africa | Preview and Predictions

After an embarrassing loss in their opening game, South Africa have bounced back in style and stole victory from the jaws of defeat against India in their last game to firmly establish their credentials as contenders for the trophy.

Up next for the Proteas are Bangladesh, who after their stunning win against Pakistan in their opening game have suffered two back-to-back defeats and need to get back to winning ways in order to keep their hopes of making the semi-finals alive.

For Match 14 of the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, here are our preview and predictions.

ICC Women’s CWC 2025 | Match 14: BAN vs SA | 15:00 IST, October 13

Bangladesh’s biggest struggle in this tournament has been their batting; they are yet to cross the 200-run mark. While batting has been a challenge for all teams in general at this World Cup, the Bangla batters have failed to adapt to the conditions more than their counterparts. There has been little to no contribution from their top five in any of the games — barring a fighting 60 from Sobhana Mostary. Other than some lower-order resistance from Rabeya Khan, there has been virtually no fight out in the middle. Captain Nigar Sultana knows she and her batters need to apply themselves better, but the signs don’t look too promising on what will be another slow track.

Bowling has been Bangladesh’s biggest strength. Marufa Akter has been leading the charge, while the spin quartet of Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Nishita Akter, and Fahima Khatun has been outstanding as a unit.

South Africa, on the other hand, come into this game on the back of a heist against co-hosts India, with Nadine de Klerk having guided them to a nervy three-wicket win. All of their big names have spent time out in the middle, getting plenty of runs under their belts, with Tazmin Brits’ century and Sune Luus’ unbeaten 83 getting them over the line against New Zealand, while against India, captain Laura Wolvaardt held the innings together for a long time before all-rounders Chloe Tryon and de Klerk helped them clinch victory from the jaws of defeat. However, if there is something Wolvaardt would like fixed in her batting line-up, it’s the middle order’s resilience; before long, the middle-order batters will need to learn how to last longer in the middle.

With the ball, Nonkululeko Mlaba has been the standout performer for the Proteas, with slow bowlers proving the most effective. The likes of de Klerk and Tryon have been leveraging all their experience to deliver with the ball as well, with economical, wicket-taking spells.

The Visakhapatnam strip has shown that while it is a slow track, there are runs on offer if the batters apply themselves and dig in. With both teams stacked with strong spin attacks, expect another encounter dominated by the slower bowlers, with South Africa’s squad experience giving them a clear advantage to take the win here.

Fantasy XI: Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, Nigar Sultana (wk), Marizanne Kapp (vc), Suné Luus, Sobhana Mostary, Nadine de Klerk (c), Fahima Khatun, Chloe Tryon, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter

Venue: Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Winners Prediction: South Africa