KEY POINTS
- Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 anchored England’s tense four-wicket win over Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh posted 178, with Sobhana Mostary scoring 60 and Rabeya Khan adding a late 43.
- Fahima Khatun’s 3-wicket spell threatened England’s chase before Knight and Dean’s sealed the win.
GUWAHATI, India: England Women overcame a spirited fight from Bangladesh Women to clinch a four-wicket victory in their ICC Women’s World Cup clash, with Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 guiding the chase on a tricky Guwahati surface.
Chasing a modest target of 179, England found themselves in early trouble at 78 for 5, after a fiery spell from Fahima Khatun (3 for 16) and Marufa Akter (2 for 28) rattled the top order. However, Knight’s calm and composed innings, her 27th ODI fifty, held the chase together.
Partnering with Charlie Dean, who made a patient 27* off 56 balls, the duo stitched an unbroken 79-run stand to take England home in 46.1 overs.
The match-winning effort earned Knight the Player of the Match award.
Bangladesh’s innings: Bright start, middle-order collapse
England women won the toss and opted to field first, Bangladesh posted 178 all out in 49.4 overs. Sobhana Mostary anchored the innings with a well-compiled 60 off 108, while Rabeya Khan’s late burst of 43* off 27 balls pushed the total to a competitive mark.
However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against England’s disciplined attack. Sophie Ecclestone led the charge with 3 for 24, while Dean and Alice Capsey picked up two wickets each to keep the pressure on.
Bangladesh slumped from 59 for 2 to 130 for 7, and only Rabeya’s aggressive cameo gave the scoreboard some respectability.
England’s chase: Knight holds firm amidst chaos
England’s chase began shakily, losing Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont early. When Nat Sciver-Brunt (32) and Capsey (20) also departed in quick succession, Bangladesh sensed a major upset.
But Knight, known for her temperament in crisis, dug in for a measured knock, striking 8 fours and a six, and expertly rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Dean’s support at the other end proved crucial in soaking up pressure and ensuring England didn’t suffer further collapses.
Despite the bowling heroics of Fahima and Marufa, Bangladesh lacked the finishing edge, as England crossed the finish line with 23 balls to spare.
Match Summary
Bangladesh Women – 178 all out in 49.4 overs (Sobhana Mostary 60, Rabeya Khan 43*; Ecclestone 3-24, Dean 2-28)
England Women – 182/6 in 46.1 overs (Heather Knight 79*, Sciver-Brunt 32; Fahima Khatun 3-16, Marufa Akter 2-28)
Result: England Women won by 4 wickets with 23 balls remaining
Player of the Match: Heather Knight
