‘We need to play for our pride’ - Bangladesh head coach Hashan Tillakaratne reflects on upcoming clash against South Africa

The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to continue with Bangladesh women taking on South African women. Both sides will lock horns in the 16th match of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 12. It is worth noting that with three games played, Bangladesh women have won one game, lost two, and currently occupy fourth place in the standings. 

The clash against South African women will be the last group stage game of the tournament for Bangladesh, and the side’s head coach Hashan Tillakaratne recently came forward and talked about the importance of the upcoming game.  

"We need to play for our pride against South Africa. We have beaten them once, so it's up to all of us to get together and put up a better show. We know there are certain things that we can't control, but we can control our own game and play to our potential," Tilakaratne was quoted as saying by the ICC. 

Qualification for knockouts still possible for Bangladesh

Despite having lost two games out of the three that they have played, it is still mathematically possible for Bangladesh to make it to the knockout stages of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. A win by 68 runs or a successful run chase in around 8.2 overs would move Bangladesh’s net run rate past South Africa. 

However, the side would still require one of the West Indies or England to finish the group stage on four points with a net run rate blow major enough to be under that of Bangladesh. With the right amount of luck on their side, it could be possible for Bangladesh to make it through to the knockouts, but it would require every star aligning. 

The side defeated Scotland in their first game of the tournament but failed to breeze past England and the West Indies, now they face South African women as their final hurdle.