Women’s World Cup: Heather Knight anchors England to tense win over Bangladesh

England beat Bangladesh by four wickets in a tense ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match in Guwahati. Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 anchored the chase after Sophie Ecclestone’s three-wicket haul restricted Bangladesh to 178. England now top the points table

Guwahati: England Women made it two wins out of two in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, holding their nerve to secure a tense four-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Baraspara Stadium here on Tuesday. Former skipper Heather Knight stood tall under pressure, guiding England home with an unbeaten 79 off 111 balls as they chased down 178 in 46.1 overs to move to the top of the points table with four points, level with India.

Earlier in the day, England’s spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone (3-24), Charlie Dean (2-28) and Alice Capsey (2-31) produced a disciplined bowling effort to bundle Bangladesh out for 178 in 49.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (2-33) also contributed, ensuring Bangladesh never recovered despite a fighting half-century from Sobhana Mostary.

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Mostary’s 60 off 108 balls, featuring eight boundaries, was the lone highlight for Bangladesh in an otherwise faltering innings. Showing grit and patience, the 22-year-old steadied the innings after both openers fell cheaply. She brought up her maiden ODI fifty off 92 balls and held one end even as wickets continued to tumble at the other.

Bangladesh’s innings lacked momentum throughout. After Lauren Bell (1-24) broke the opening stand of 24 by dismissing Rubya Haider (4) in the fifth over, Smith removed skipper Nigar Sultana for a duck in the next. Sharmin Akhter (30) and Mostary briefly steadied the innings to reach 31 for two at the end of the powerplay, but Sharmin fell soon after the drinks break, edging behind on 30.

Shorna Akter (10) and Ritu Moni (5 off 36) struggled to rotate the strike, and Moni’s dismissal in the 34th over left Bangladesh reeling at 109 for six. The scoring rate stagnated between overs 20 and 30, with only 16 runs added during that phase.

Late in the innings, Rabeya Khan provided a much-needed spark with a spirited 43 not out off 27 balls, including six fours and a six. Her counterattack ensured Bangladesh avoided an even lower total, taking them to 178 before the innings ended in the final over.

England’s chase, however, was far from straightforward. The Bangladeshi bowlers made good use of the conditions, reducing England to 29 for two early as both openers fell cheaply. Marufa Akter (2-28) and Fahima Khatun (3-16) struck key blows to keep the contest alive.

Knight found support in Nat Sciver-Brunt, and together they added 40 runs for the third wicket to steady the chase. But when Sophia Dunkley and Emma Lamb fell in quick succession, Bangladesh sensed an opening.

Knight, however, absorbed the pressure brilliantly, anchoring the innings with maturity. She notched up her 28th ODI half-century, taking her time to rebuild before accelerating when required. Her fifty, the second slowest of her career, was a lesson in composure and awareness.

At 103 for six, the match hung in the balance, but Knight found a dependable partner in Charlie Dean, who showed resilience with 27 not out off 56 balls. The duo put together an unbeaten 79-run stand for the seventh wicket, guiding England home in the 47th over to seal a crucial win.

The victory was a collective show of grit and composure — first through England’s spinners and then through the calm assurance of their most experienced batter. With this win, England moved to the top of the points table with four points, level with India but ahead on net run rate. They will next face Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday, while Bangladesh will look to regroup before meeting New Zealand in Guwahati on Friday.

Brief Scores:
Bangladesh 178 all out in 49.4 overs (Sobhana Mostary 60, Rabeya Khan 43 not out; Sophie Ecclestone 3-24, Charlie Dean 2-28, Alice Capsey 2-31) lost to England 182 for 6 in 46.1 overs (Heather Knight 79 not out, Nat Sciver-Brunt 32; Fahima Khatun 3-16, Marufa Akter 2-28) by four wickets.