The closely contested eighth match of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 saw England Women edging past Bangladesh Women by 4 wickets at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 178 runs all out in 49.4 overs, thanks mainly to Sobhana Mostary’s patient 60 and Rabeya Khan’s late 43 not out. England successfully chased down the target, finishing at 182/6 with 23 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning unbeaten 79 from Heather Knight and a crucial lower-order partnership with Charlie Dean.
Batting first, Bangladesh lost early wickets with the new ball as England’s pace duo Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith struck in the powerplay, reducing Bangladesh to 25/2 inside six overs. However, Sobhana Mostary anchored the innings with a determined knock of 60 off 108 balls, holding the innings together while wickets fell around her. Rabeya Khan provided a valuable late surge with a quick-fire 43 from 27 balls, keeping Bangladesh’s total competitive on a challenging batting surface.
England’s bowling attack was dominated by spinners, with Sophie Ecclestone leading taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. Linsey Smith, Charlotte Dean, and Alice Capsey picked up two wickets each as England’s spin contingent restricted run-scoring and consistently struck breakthroughs. The English bowlers were able to choke the flow of runs after the first six overs and kept applying pressure that Bangladesh could not escape as wickets tumbled steadily.
Chasing 179 on a tricky pitch, England started shakily, losing both openers inside the powerplay to disciplined bowling from Bangladesh, including a fiery spell from Fahima Khatun that helped slow the chase significantly. England slipped to 78/5, with Bangladesh’s bowlers and fielders maintaining intensity and belief in defending a modest target, making for a tense contest.
However, veteran Heather Knight rose to the occasion with a calm and composed unbeaten 79, steering England’s innings out of trouble. She was well supported by Charlie Dean (27*), with the duo putting together an unbroken partnership of 79* runs that ultimately sealed a nervy but vital win for England. Knight’s experience and maturity under pressure proved crucial in ensuring England maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament.
The match was a testament to Bangladesh’s progress in women’s cricket, showcasing fighting spirit and key individual performances despite the loss. Their bowlers, led by discipline and clever variations, kept England on tenterhooks well into their innings, signaling growing competitiveness at the highest level. Bangladesh will take positives from the resilience shown by players such as Sobhana and Rabeya Khan.
For England, the win consolidated their strong start to the World Cup, with their balanced bowling attack and middle order resilience shining through. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt’s decision to bowl first paid off as England’s spinners were expertly utilized in Guwahati conditions. The match reaffirmed England’s status as serious contenders for the trophy, leveraging experience and skill to navigate a challenging chase.
Loves all things female cricket