England edge Bangladesh in a tense World Cup thriller
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup produced another gripping contest as England, chasing 179 under lights at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, eked out a four-wicket victory that kept their perfect record intact. Heather Knight stood tall with an unbeaten 79, sealing a dramatic end to a match that swung like a pendulum between two capable teams.
Bangladesh’s spirited effort sets the stage
Bangladesh posted a competitive total on a challenging pitch, with Sobhana Mostary illuminating the innings with 60 and Rabeya Khan finishing on 43 not out. The Tigresses had to contend with England’s spin-dominated attack, as nine of their ten wickets fell to spinners. Marufa Akter and Fahima Khatun briefly steadied the ship after England’s bowlers had made early inroads, reducing the score to 78/5 in the 23rd over, but Rabeya’s late flourish and Sobhana’s patient fifty provided Bangladesh a platform to push towards a defendable total.
Bangladesh’s batting on a demanding surface
The surface offered assistance to bowlers who turned the ball and kept a tight lid on the England innings. Sobhana’s steadfast 60 off 108 balls anchored the innings, while Rabeya’s quick-fire 43 from 27 balls gave the innings late momentum. It was a testament to Bangladesh’s resolve that they posted 178, a total that looked within reach for a significant portion of the chase given the early blows England endured.
England’s response: Knight’s masterclass and a fearless finish
England’s reply began with a setback as Marufa Akter struck with the very first ball, removing Amy Jones, and Tammy Beaumont fell in the seventh over, leaving England at 29/2. Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship with Knight, and the duo combined for a 40-run third-wicket stand that gave England a foothold in the chase. Fahima Khatun’s leg-spinner spell then shifted the balance, taking three quick wickets including Sciver-Brunt for a polished 32, leaving England reeling at 78/5.
Resilience and the finishing flourish
Capsey’s assured 20 and Knight’s majestic, composed innings steadied the ship, eventually forming the partnership that would determine the outcome. Capsey fell to a sharp slip catch, but Knight remained at the crease, unfazed by the pressure and the on-field drama. The England captain’s half-century was a galvanising moment, signaling that the chase was far from over. With 41 needed and an unbroken 79-run stand with Charlie Dean, Knight’s brilliance and Dean’s support brought the target within sight. Dean’s boundary off the elaborate cover drive sealed the victory, confirming Knight’s status as the match-winner in a high-stakes White-Ball fixture.
Match context and implications
England’s decision to bowl first, a recurring theme in this World Cup, paid off as their bowlers exploited the conditions with precision. Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith started the damage early, removing key Bangladesh openers and setting the tone for a disciplined fielding effort. Amy Jones’s athletic presence behind the stumps and a couple of sharp catches further stifled the Tigresses’ run-chase. For Knight, this innings added another memorable chapter to her World Cup leadership, a reminder that class and composure under pressure can turn a match around in an instant.
What this victory means going forward
England’s 100% record continues, maintaining their aura as one of the tournament’s frontrunners. The win underscored the depth in England’s squad, where Knight’s performance with the bat and the collective resilience of the middle order could be pivotal as the group stage unfolds. Bangladesh will take heart from their toil with bat in hand, especially Sobhana’s stubborn fifty, and will be aiming to translate such fighting spirit into more comprehensive displays in future rounds.
As the World Cup moves to its crescendo, teams will be closely watching England’s ability to deliver under pressure, with Knight’s match-winning knock serving as a benchmark for leadership and finishing in women’s cricket’s highest stage.
