England skipper Heather Knight showcased her class with an unbeaten 79 as the defending champions overcame Bangladesh by six wickets in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash in Guwahati on Tuesday. The victory marked England’s second straight win of the tournament, while Bangladesh suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Knight Anchors England’s Chase
Chasing 179, England looked in trouble after slipping to 103/6 by the 30th over. But Knight’s calm presence at the crease, coupled with a crucial 75-run stand alongside Charlie Dean, steadied the innings and ensured her side crossed the finish line. Knight’s unbeaten half-century proved decisive, as she absorbed the pressure and punished loose deliveries to guide England home.
Bangladesh’s Fahima Khatun (3/16) produced a brilliant spell to turn the game into a contest, removing Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, and Emma Lamb in quick succession. Her breakthroughs gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but Knight’s resilience ultimately took the game away. Marufa Akter (2/28) had earlier rattled England’s top order by dismissing openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont inside the powerplay.
Bangladesh’s Batting Effort Falls Short
Earlier, Bangladesh were bundled out for 178 after opting to bat first. Sobhana Mostary top-scored with a steady 60, while Rabeya Khan (47* off 27) provided late fireworks to push the total closer to respectability. However, regular wickets meant Bangladesh couldn’t build lasting partnerships.
Sophie Ecclestone (3/24) was once again England’s standout bowler, with Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean, and Alice Capsey chipping in with two wickets apiece. Lauren Bell opened the floodgates by removing Rubya Haider early, while Smith dismissed Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty for a duck.
England Building Momentum
While Knight’s innings underlined her ability to thrive under pressure, England’s bowlers deserve credit for setting up the victory with a disciplined display. With two wins in as many matches, England are beginning to find their rhythm, while Bangladesh will look to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture.