England solidly claim the top spot in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 after a tense win over Bangladesh in Guwahati.
The match, played at Baraspara Stadium, ended with England taking 182 for 6 from 46.1 overs while chasing a target of 178.
Heather Knight anchored England’s run chase, batting unbeaten 79 off 111 balls. Her steady innings not only powered the win but also kept the team level on points with India, giving England the edge on net run rate.
Bangladesh had to fight a long way to reach 178. Their best effort came from Sobhana Mostary, who struck 60 off 108 deliveries, and a explosive 43 not out from Rabeya Khan that added a burst of runs in the final overs.
England’s wins sprint
- England smashed Bangladesh’s first‑innings total of 178 and then chased the target in 46.1 overs.
- Knight’s 79* was the cornerstone of the chase, with her 28th ODI half‑century serving as a masterclass in calmness under pressure.
- The back‑up from Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who contributed 32 runs, kept the partnership steady.
- When England fell to 103 for 6, Knight found a partner in Charlie Dean, who stayed unbeaten on 27, adding crucial runs to see the team home safely.
Spin trio dominance
Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and Alice Capsey teamed up with left‑arm spinner Linsey Smith to hold Bangladesh to 178, bowling 49.4 overs.
- Ecclestone went 3 for 24, Dean 2 for 28, and Capsey 2 for 31.
- Smith also took 2 for 33, ensuring Bangladesh never gained momentum after early wickets.
Bangladesh’s innings saw early pressure from England’s bowlers, with a debutante order of Marufa Akter (2‑28) and Fahima Khatun (3‑16) knocking off the openers.
- The team’s breakthroughs included a silver duck from skipper Nigar Sultana and critical wickets by Sharmin Akhter (30) and Mostary.
Key moments
- Bangladesh’s 40‑run partnership between Sharmin Akhter and Mostary steadied the score to 31/2 after the powerplay.
- The batting rate stalled as the score fell to 109 for 6, with a mere 16 runs earned between overs 20 and 30.
- A last‑over scare smoothed out the Bangladesh total, but England’s run‑chasing strategy remained dominant.
What’s next?
England will face Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday, while Bangladesh heads back to Guwahati to prepare for New Zealand on Friday.
Quick stats
Bangladesh 178 all out (Mostary 60, Khan 43); England 182/6 (Knight 79, Sciver‑Brunt 32). England wins by four wickets.
Source: ianslive
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