Women’s World Cup 2025, Match 8 Review: Heather Knight’s experience bails England out despite Bangladesh’s fiery bowling effort

England defeated a spirited Bangladesh side by four wickets at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, October 7, to move to the top of the Women’s World Cup 2025 standings.

Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss earlier in the day and opted to bowl first. Rubya Haider and Nigar Sultana were dismissed in consecutive overs inside the powerplay by Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith, respectively. Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary resurrected the ship with a 34-run stand off 60 balls.

Akhter couldn’t capitalise on her start, as she was dismissed for 30 in the 16th over. Shorna Akter’s knock of 10 runs off 23 balls failed to inject any momentum into the innings. However, the knocks of Ritu Moni (5 off 36) and Fahima Khatun (7 off 25) hurt Bangladesh even more.

Mostary anchored the innings, scoring 60 off 108 balls, hitting eight boundaries. Rabeya Khan played a blinder of a knock at the backend, smashing an unbeaten 43 off 27 balls. From 85/3, Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 in 49.4 overs.

Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers, bagging three wickets in 10 overs. She gave away just 24 runs while bowling three maidens. Meanwhile, Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey, and Linsey Smith took two wickets apiece.

In reply, England lost the wicket of Amy Jones in the first over. Marufa Akter bowled a massive in-swinger to send the England wicketkeeper packing. In the seventh over, the right-arm pacer bowled another top-notch in-swinger to get rid of Tammy Beaumont.

Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight added a 40-run stand off 73 deliveries to calm the nerves in the England camp. However, Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley were dismissed in the 19th over, as Fahima Khatun brought Bangladesh back in the contest.

Emma Lamb also fell victim to Khatun in the 23rd over. Alice Capsey looked good during his 20-run knock before Shanjida Akter Meghla sent her packing. The Three Lions were in a spot of bother at 103/6 in the 30th over.

Knight used her experience and forged a brilliant partnership under pressure with Dean. They added 79 runs off 100 balls for the seventh wicket. England won by four wickets with 23 balls to spare. Knight finished on 79* off 111 balls, hitting eight fours and one six. Meanwhile, Dean ended on 27* off 56 deliveries.

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