“Bangladesh Push England, But Knight Holds Nerve in Women’s World Cup Thriller”

England Survive Bangladesh Scare as Knight Anchors Thrilling Chase.

England narrowly escaped a scare from Bangladesh in Match 8 of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 on Tuesday, October 7, at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati. Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 off 111 balls guided England to a 179-run chase, finishing at 179/6 in 46.1 overs.

Bangladesh started strongly, with Marufa Akter troubling the English batters early. Amy Jones (1 off 3) fell in the first over to an in-swinger, while Knight survived two early close calls, including a near-inside edge and a reversed lbw decision. Akter also dismissed Tammy Beaumont in the fourth over, leaving England reeling at 29/2.

Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt then joined Knight to form a crucial 40-run partnership, helping England stabilize. However, Bangladesh kept the pressure on as Fahima Khatun ran through the middle order, dismissing Sciver-Brunt (32), Sophie Dunkley (0), and Emma Lamb, reducing England to 78/5—still 101 runs short of the target.

Alice Capsey provided a brief counterattack, scoring 20 before Shanjida Akter Meghla struck. Knight, however, held firm and combined with Charlotte Dean to forge a decisive 79-run partnership that sealed the win for England.

Earlier, Bangladesh had set a challenging target of 179, with Sobhana Mostary top-scoring with 60 and a late flourish from Rabeya Khan (43* off 27) pushing the total past 170. For England, Sophie Ecclestone (3/24) led the bowling attack, supported by Capsey (2/31), Dean (2/28), and Linsey Smith (2/33).

The victory saw England climb to the top of the points table with four points from two matches and a net run rate of +1.757, while Bangladesh slipped to fourth with two points from two games.