Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Bangladesh skipper Joty rues missed catches after loss against South Africa

In the end, it was a game of ‘what ifs’ for Bangladesh, as has been the case in the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

What if the fielding lapses didn’t exist? What if the young side did not let the pressure get to them? What if its batters added a few more runs in the PowerPlay?

The one thing captain Nigar Sultana Joty wouldn’t change, even in hindsight, is the decision to bat first – one that surprised many, including her South African counterpart, Laura Wolvaardt.

“Chasing hasn’t been working for us. In the last game, our batters couldn’t score in the PowerPlay, and we lost early wickets. Our plan was to bat first and give the bowlers something to defend because they’ve been doing well as a unit. That’s why we took the decision to bat first,” she explained.

The Bangladesh bowlers, who have been the side’s strength so far, eventually erred in their line and length, which Joty blamed on the conditions. That said, she is happy to take positives from the game and move forward.

ALSO READ | SL vs NZ, Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: ‘Have done well against New Zealand, but that’s past,’ says Sri Lanka coach

“Gripping the ball was very difficult because there was a lot of dew, and the ball was getting wet. I tried to use the best bowlers. In these matches, many times, it’s difficult to hold the momentum. There are many things to learn at this stage, like what we should do to get the result in our favour if we get into this kind of situation in the next matches,” she explained.

To say that the fielding lapses led to the defeat would not be an understatement either.

Laura Wolvaardt, when on 11, got a reprieve after Rabeya Khan missed a caught-and-bowled chance in the fifth over. Sumaiya Akter couldn’t hold on to a catch at wide long-on when Chloe Tryon was on 46. Later, in the final overs of the innings, Nadine de Klerk was dropped by Shorna Akter.

“It happens sometimes during the game. It was very difficult — the pressure was on. I don’t want to make excuses, but in such conditions, you really have to keep your nerves calm. Unfortunately, we missed those chances. Maybe if we had held on to those catches, the result could have been different,” Joty said.

“I am not disappointed, I would say I am proud. The way our girls fought for every ball, it was not easy to keep such a close game in our control at this stage but they have tried their 110%. I am very happy as a captain,” she added.

Published on Oct 14, 2025