Cricket Match Report | England beat Bangladesh by four wickets

Bangladesh 178 (49.4 overs) | England 182-6 (46.1 overs)

Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 guided England to a nervy four-wicket victory over Bangladesh, keeping their perfect start to the Women’s World Cup intact in Guwahati.

Author | Sophie T

Set just 179 to win on a testing surface, England stumbled to 78 for five and then 103 for six as their long-standing struggles against spin once again came to the fore.

A composed and unbroken partnership of 79 between Knight and Charlie Dean, who added 27, eventually steered England home in the 47th over.

Bangladesh’s seamer Marufa Akter made an early impact, removing openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont with late swing. The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 15th over when Knight, on 13, survived a close call after driving a catch to Shorna Akter at extra cover. The third umpire ruled that the fielder had made contact with the turf as she dived forward. It came after Knight had already overturned both a caught-behind and an lbw decision.

READ MORE | England beat South Africa by 10 wickets

From that point, the England captain showed grit and restraint in her first innings back from a hamstring injury, guiding her side through a tense chase that at times looked in danger of slipping away. A Bangladesh win would have ranked among the competition’s greatest shocks.

Digging in when we needed it most 💪

32 more runs needed here. pic.twitter.com/yxJRoRCDDF

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 7, 2025

Fahima Khatun led the way for Bangladesh with 3 for 16, spearheading an energetic display with the ball and in the field after their batters had also found conditions difficult.

England’s spinners had earlier dictated proceedings, claiming nine wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 in 49.4 overs. Sophie Ecclestone finished with 3 for 24, while Dean, Linsey Smith and Alice Capsey each took two wickets.

Sobhana Mostary provided resilience with a measured 60 from 108 deliveries before Rabeya Khan added late impetus, striking an unbeaten 43 from 27 balls.

England now travel to Colombo, where they will continue their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on Saturday.