Bangladesh women’s cricket team came agonisingly close to pulling off a famous upset against South Africa in Vizag on Monday, only to see it slip through their fingers.

Despite posting their highest-ever Women’s World Cup total, they went down to South Africa by three wickets with three balls to spare.

Defending 232, Bangladesh had South Africa reeling at 64 for 4, thanks to disciplined spells from Nahida Akter (2 for 44) and Ritu Moni (1 for 29).

But three missed catches turned the contest on its head. Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk — all beneficiaries of dropped chances — made Bangladesh pay dearly.

Tryon’s belligerent 62 and Kapp’s composed 56 steadied the chase, before de Klerk’s unbeaten 37 guided South Africa home.

The biggest moment came in the 49th over, when Shorna Akter, who had earlier lit up the first innings, spilled a regulation catch at long-off with South Africa still needing runs.

It summed up the night — so close, yet not enough.

Earlier, it was Shorna who gave Bangladesh belief with one of the most breathtaking ODI knocks ever played by a Bangladeshi woman.

Walking in at 150 for 3, the 18-year-old produced a blistering unbeaten 51 off 35 balls, hammering three fours and three sixes — two of them straight over the bowler’s head — to set up Bangladesh’s record total of 232 for 6.

Her knock was the fastest fifty by a Bangladeshi woman in ODIs and featured the most sixes in a single innings for the country. Alongside Sharmin Akhter’s steady 50 and Nigar Sultana’s 32, it powered Bangladesh to a position of real strength — one that should have been enough.