England vs Bangladesh Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Stunning Heather Knight fifty saves England, defeat Bangladesh by four wickets

Nahida Akter to Tammy Beaumont, DROPPED! Marufa, who bowled an excellent first over, is the guilty party! Hands on heads in disbelief for Bangladesh Women! That should have been taken by all standards of cricket! Tossed up, on off, Tammy Beaumont looks to loft it but gets it off the toe end of her bat. It carries towards mid off. Marufa Akter executes the difficult part by reacting quickly and running to her right, but seemingly overruns and drops an absolute sitter. That could prove to be a massive drop for Bangladesh Women.

Nahida Akter to Tammy Beaumont, Short, on off, Tammy Beaumont blocks it back.

Heather Knight walks in at number 3. Also, Nahida Akter will share the attack from the other end.

Marufa Akter to Amy Jones, OUT! LBW! Amy Jones departs! An early and much-needed breakthrough for Bangladesh Women. On a length, on off, shaping in very sharply. Amy Jones looks to flick it but gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball hits her pads. A loud appeal for LBW and the finger does go up this time. Amy Jones has a chat with Tammy Beaumont and decides not to refer it for a review. She makes her way back into the pavilion on just 1 off 3. England Women are 6/1 after 1 over, needing 173 runs to win. The Ball Tracking projection is displayed shortly after, revealing that the delivery would have clipped the leg stump on the umpire’s call. So even if Jones had opted for a review, the decision would not have gone in her favor.

Marufa Akter to Tammy Beaumont, On a length, on leg, Tammy Beaumont helps it to short fine leg for a single.

Marufa Akter to Amy Jones, On a length, on off, Amy Jones punches it to cover for one.

Marufa Akter to Amy Jones, Wide! Sways it down the leg side, Amy Jones looks to flick it but misses.

Marufa Akter to Amy Jones, Oh! On a length, on off, shaping in. Amy Jones looks to flick it but wears it on her pads. An appeal but turned down. There seemed to be an inside edge. Bangladesh Women don't refer it upstairs. The Ball Tracking later shows that the ball is projected to smash into the leg stump with three reds, but the inside edge has possibly saved Jones here.

Marufa Akter to Tammy Beaumont, Too full, on middle, with a hint of inward movement. Tammy Beaumont flicks it to mid-wicket for a quick single. She gets off the mark.

Marufa Akter to Tammy Beaumont, Wide! Full, down leg, Tammy Beaumont looks to flick it but misses. 

Marufa Akter to Tammy Beaumont, Length again, outside off, Tammy Beaumont reaches out to it and tries to cut it but gets beaten.

Marufa Akter to Tammy Beaumont, Wide! Starts with a length ball, down the leg side, Tammy Beaumont tries to flick it but misses. Wided.

Welcome back for the run chase. The umpires are out in the middle. Bangladesh Women players are seen in a huddle, near the fence. They now take their respective field positions. Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones open up for the England Women. Marufa Akter has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Ten wickets fell, 9 of them were snapped by the turners. Spin is the king, or shall we say, the queen in Guwahati. Hence proved, once again. Bangladesh Women may not have posted a huge total, but a strong start in the Powerplay, combined with a few early wickets, could create pressure on the English batters. Similar to England, they also possess a good spin attack. Being relatively young, it adds an element of unpredictability to their game as well. Dew is likely to play a role in the latter stages, and it will be intriguing to see how they manage this challenge. Back in a bit for the chase. Stay tuned.

England's Charlie Dean is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. She says that she feels good, as the pitch had some turn and bounce and she enjoyed her time. She says that she has been working on her variations and it worked well for her. She adds that Linsey and Capsey did a good job as well. Ends by saying that the pitch is difficult to bat on and they will have to play long innings.

Sobhana Mostary stood firm at one end, even as wickets fell around her at regular intervals. She crafted her maiden ODI fifty, and had Rabeya Khan not contributed with a strong cameo towards the end, Bangladesh Women might have been dismissed for a significantly lower total. However, the intent Rabeya displayed is something that should have come from the top-order batters, who appeared content merely to survive at the crease. Perhaps they were simply too cautious to risk losing their wickets, but in the larger picture, their approach ultimately did not pay off.

England’s bowlers stuck to a simple but highly influential plan, keeping a tight line on the stumps as if aiming at a handkerchief placed right in front of them. Singles came slowly and never really troubled the fielding side. This was a perfect demonstration of how seemingly 'boring' bowling can be effective. There were no extravagant deliveries, only relentless accuracy and consistency that gradually choked the batters. Wickets did not fall quickly, yet the spinners’ control prevented Bangladesh from finding any rhythm. In the 21 to 30 over phase, the scoring almost came to a halt with just 16 runs added as the pressure continued to mount.

Sensing the growing comfort against the pacers, England quickly switched to spin and kept it going from both ends. The surface offered enough grip and turn for Sophie Ecclestone to make life difficult for the batters, while Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith used the conditions cleverly, getting more drift through the air. The trio maintained a tight leash, rushing through their overs with precision and hardly allowing any easy runs. Still, Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akhter showed good temperament, putting together a steady third-wicket stand only to be broken sooner by Ecclestone.

On a sluggish surface, characteristic of what Guwahati offers, keeping it stump-to-stump was crucial and the English bowlers did exactly that early doors. Though Bangladesh openers started off well with the bat, with 23/0 in the first four overs, the bowlers brought in the control and Linsey Smith, dismissing the opposition captain, Nigar Sultana Joty, brought the run rate down with the next 6 overs going for just 8/2. Hence, at the end of the Powerplay, Bangladesh Women could only add 31/2 on the board.

A commendable little fightback from the Bangladeshi lower order, particularly from Rabeya Khan, towards the end. They will take satisfaction in having stretched their innings to the final over. Especially considering that at one stage, it seemed highly unlikely they would even last the full quota of overs after being reduced to 121/6 with around ten overs remaining. Overall, it was, in many ways, a rather unusual innings. Only two batters from the top eight managed to reach 20 runs, while Rabeya Khan’s unbeaten 43 off just 27 deliveries at the end provided the much-needed late surge.

Linsey Smith to Shanjida Akther Maghla, OUT! TAKEN! Wrapped up! Flatter, on middle and leg, Shanjida Akther Maghla looks to loft it but the ball hits the upper part of her bat. It flies only as far as mid on. Nat Sciver-Brunt goes back and takes a good catch over her head. Linsey Smith completes with two wickets. BANGLADESH WOMEN ARE BOWLED OUT ON 178 IN 49.4 OVERS!

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, Much fuller, on off, Rabeya Khan taps it to mid on for one.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, FOUR! A really good start to the final over here! Full, on middle and leg, Rabeya Khan gets low and sweeps it elegantly through backward square leg for a boundary.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, SIX! That has gone all the way! A half tracker, on middle and leg, Rabeya Khan takes a step forward and lofts it over long on. Lauren Bell times her jump near the fence but fails to reach at it as the ball sails over the ropes.

Alice Capsey to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Flatter, on middle and leg, Shanjida Akther Maghla looks to pull it but misses and wears it on her pads. A loud appeal for LBW, but the finger stays down. Nat Sciver-Brunt goes upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows a clear spike when the ball is next to the inside edge, and the onfield decision is upheld. NOT OUT!

Alice Capsey to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Short ball, on off, Shanjida Akther Maghla leans on and blocks it back.

Alice Capsey to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Too full, on off, Shanjida Akther Maghla pushes it to mid off.

Alice Capsey to Rabeya Khan, Lands it on middle, Rabeya Khan sweeps but doesn't time it well. The ball pops up and lands just short of the fielder at deep square leg, who makes a dive to take it. Makes a good stop, though, and keeps it to a single.

Alice Capsey to Rabeya Khan, Much fuller again, on leg, Rabeya Khan knocks it to mid on.

Alice Capsey to Rabeya Khan, FOUR! Brilliant shot! Much fuller, on middle and leg, Rabeya Khan gets low and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, Too full, on middle, Rabeya Khan sweeps it through square leg for one.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, Quicker, outside off, Rabeya Khan plays it with soft hands towards third man for a brace.

Linsey Smith to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Short, on middle, Shanjida Akther Maghla tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

Linsey Smith to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Too full, on off, Shanjida Akther Maghla leans on and blocks it back to the bowler.

Linsey Smith to Shanjida Akther Maghla, Much fuller, on off, Shanjida Akther Maghla pushes it to mid off.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, Flatter, on off, Rabeya Khan flicks it to mid-wciket for one.

Bangladesh Women will be looking to bat out their full quota of overs and accumulate as many runs as possible in the remaining period. They have displayed a decent fight in this backend phase. Credits to Rabeya Khan's brilliant and intent-laden cameo so far.

Alice Capsey to Marufa Akter, OUT! TAKEN! Lauren Bell takes a brilliant catch at mid off! Flatter, just outside off, Marufa Akter looks to loft it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs in the air towards mid off. Lauren Bell backpedals and takes it over her head. She loses her balance but manages to keep the ball in her left hand. Marufa Akter goes for a golden duck and Bangladesh Women are 157/9. Shanjida Akther Maghla is the last batter in for Bangladesh Women.

Alice Capsey to Marufa Akter, Wide! Down the leg side, Marufa Akter leaves it alone. Wided.

Marufa Akter is the new batter in.

Alice Capsey to Sobhana Mostary, OUT! LBW! Trapped in front and Capsey gets her first wicket! Flatter, on middle and leg, Sobhana Mostary tries to flick the length ball across the line, but misses to connect and wears it on her pads. A loud appeal for LBW, but turned down by the umpire. Nat Sciver-Brunt seems interested, and she goes upstairs for a review. UltraEdge shows a flat line and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. The onfield decision is reversed to OUT! Excellent review from England! Sobhana Mostary departs after a hugely patient and valiant knock of 60 from 108 balls. Bangladesh Women are 156/8 after 46.5 overs.

Alice Capsey to Sobhana Mostary, Down the leg side, Sobhana Mostary flicks it to the fielder at short fine leg.

Alice Capsey to Rabeya Khan, Flatter, on leg, Rabeya Khan flicks it fine for a quick single.

Alice Capsey to Rabeya Khan, Wide! Down the leg side, Rabeya Khan tries to flick it but misses.

Alice Capsey to Sobhana Mostary, Lands it on leg, Sobhana Mostary looks to slog it but gets a top edge. Luckily, the ball lands safely at square leg. They cross.

Alice Capsey to Sobhana Mostary, Much fuller, on middle, Sobhana Mostary blocks it to the leg side.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Flatter, outside off, Rabeya Khan looks to drive it but gets a thick edge as the ball races through short third for a boundary. These are crucial runs for Bangladesh!

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, Flatter, on off, Rabeya Khan blocks it back to the bowler.

Linsey Smith to Rabeya Khan, FOUR! Well played! A full toss, on middle, Rabeya Khan stays in her crease and chips it magnificently over the bowler's head for a boundary.