LIVE: South Africa take the upper hand against Netherlands

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 continued with crucial Group A contests on Wednesday.

While India began the day with a win over Bangladesh, South Africa put in a convinching all-round display against the Dutch.

By winning their respective matches, the teams have ensured the semi-finals race will be stretched to the final group game between India and Australia on Sunday.

South Africa maintained their winning momentum with a comprehensive 88-run victory over Netherlands in a crucial Group A clash in Bristol.

Tazmin Brits led the way with her first T20I hundred as South Africa piled on 208/1, their highest score at Women's T20 World Cup, before restricting Netherlands to 120/8.

This was South Africa's third win on the bounce, after opening the World Cup campaign with a defeat against Australia. While the two points against Netherlands were invaluable, the margin of victory also helped them improve their net run rate from -0.546 to +0.734.

South Africa flex their credentials in Bristol | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026

South Africa seal a commanding 88-run win over the Netherlands to boost their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final hopes.

After Netherlands won the toss and elected to field, South Africa put on an absolute show of power hitting. Brits led the charge as South Africa posted 66/0 in the first six overs, their highest powerplay score at this World Cup.

While Laura Wolvaardt punched through with her trademark cover drives, Brits, a former javelin thrower, launched into the Dutch bowling with some heavy hits. A 121-run opening partnership had laid the foundation for a big score, and South Africa pressed on relentlessly even after the captain fell just short of her half-century.

Fittingly, Brits brought up her hundred with a mighty heave over mid-wicket for a maximum. In all, she struck three sixes and 15 fours against a shell-shocked Dutch attack and carried her bat through for 114 off 69 balls.

Brits' knock of pure class | Aramco POTM Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026

Tazmin Brits was at her spectacular best against Netherlands with an unbeaten 114 off 69 balls at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

Annie Dercksen ensured the Proteas pressed on as she quickly got into her stride and knocked off 37 runs in 16 balls, with the help of three fours and two sixes. South Africa amassed 50 runs in the last three overs to canter past 200.

Hannah Landheer bagged the sole South African wicket as she had Wolvaardt caught behind.

Maximum mayhem from South Africa | Women's T20WC 2026

Tazmin Brits and Annerie Dercksen cash in big to smash 3 sixes and a four in the 19th over against Netherlands at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

Though tournament debutants Netherlands are yet to score their first win, they have impressed with their spirit. Despite chasing a massive total, they came out with positive intent against South Africa.

While Sanya Khurana (36) and Phebe Molkenboer (41) put on an opening partnership of 58, Sterre Kalis contributed 26. However, with the South African total well out of their reach, the Dutch collapsed in a heap towards the end, losing their last seven wickets for 20 runs.

In a disciplined bowling effort by South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka topped the charts with 3/19 in her three overs.

A shot full of confidence from Khurana | Women's T20WC 2026

Netherlands couldn't have asked for a better start, powered by the brilliance of Sanya Khurana against South Africa at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

India stayed in contention for a semi-final spot at the Women's T20 World Cup with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh on a warm day in Manchester on Thursday.

Left-arm spin duo of Sree Charani and Radha Yadav claimed combined tally of five wickets to restrict Bangladesh to 136/8. Shafali Verma then set up victory with a blazing half century as India responded with 139/5 with over three overs to spare.

With three wins in four matches, India have six points and are currently placed second in Group A, behind Australia.

The road to the final four has just got tougher for Bangladesh as they have to win their final match against South Africa to give themselves a fair chance.

India bounce back with win over Bangladesh | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026

India secure a crucial 5-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Though Bangladesh showed the right intent as they won the toss and elected to bat first, they fell short in execution.

After losing Dilara Akter early, Sri Lanka steadied on for a while as Juairiya Ferdous (33), Sobhana Mostary (22) and Nigar Sultana (32) chipped in with vital runs. Ferdous and Mostary helped the team recover from an early wobble with a 51-run partnership for the second wicket.

While India's bowlers kept Bangladesh in check, their fielding was found wanting early on. The ODI world champions dropped four catches in the powerplay and Bangladesh inched to 40/1 in the first six overs.

Sharma’s quick reflexes end Ferdous’ stay | Women's T20WC 2026

Nandini Sharma produces a brilliant caught-and-bowled to dismiss Juairiya Ferdous at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Nandini Sharma snapped that streak as he held on to a return catch to send off Ferdous. India's spinners took control of the game from there and did not let their opponents break free.

Yadav bagged the prized scalps of Mostary and Sultana and then returned to clean bowl Ritu Moni. Meanwhile, Sree Charani claimed two wickets in the final over to finish with 2/21.

It was a landmark day for Charani who became India's highest-wicket taker in a single Women's T20 World Cup edition with 12 wickets. She got past Poonam Yadav's mark of 10 set in 2019/20. The Indian left-arm spinner, currently, leads the charts for most wickets at the 2026 edition as well.

Sree Charani strikes to remove Shorna Akter | Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Sree Charani gets the wicket of Shorna Akter to become India’s highest wicket-taker in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.

In response, India came flying out of the blocks. Verma led the charge as the ODI world champions knocked off 63/1 in the first six overs, their highest score in powerplay in Women's T20 World Cups.

Verma brought up the second fastest fifty in Women's T20 World Cups as she went past the milestone in 29 balls. During her 34-ball 53, Verma struck eight fours and a six.

Shafali Verma lights it up with a quickfire fifty | Aramco POTM Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026

Shafali Verma’s quickfire 53 off 34 balls against Bangladesh earned her the Player of the Match award at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.

That early momentum provided by Verma was crucial and helped India tide over after they hit a roadblock in the middle. After Verma was stumped off Nahida Akter, India lost Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh in quick succession, giving Bangladesh a look in.

While Jemimah Rodrigues's cameo of 26 took the game away from their Asian rivals, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma took the team past the finish line.

Rodrigues makes it look effortless | Women's T20WC 2026

Jemimah Rodrigues times it to perfection for a six against Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.