Knight snatches victory from Bangladesh

Bangla Press Desk: England batter Heather Knight produced a match-winning knock to deny Bangladesh a famous win, guiding her team to a four-wicket victory in their ICC Women’s World Cup encounter at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Defending a modest target of 179, Bangladesh made a dream start with the ball as pacer Marufa Akter struck in the very first over, removing Amy Jones. She soon followed up with the wicket of Tammy Beaumont for 13, keeping England on the back foot. Marufa finished her opening spell with impressive figures of 5-0-28-2 but could not bowl again after suffering a cramp while fielding later in the innings.

Fahima Khatun then rattled the middle order with a double strike in the 19th over, dismissing Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley, before sending back Emma Lamb four overs later. When Sanjida Akter Meghla dismissed Alice Capsey in the 30th over, England were reeling at 103 for six, still needing 76 runs.

But Knight held her nerve to script a remarkable turnaround. The England skipper remained unbeaten on 79 off 111 balls, forging a decisive 79-run stand with Charlie Dean (27* off 56) to steer her side home with 23 balls to spare.

Earlier, England opted to bowl first after winning the toss, and Bangladesh struggled to find momentum in their innings. Rubya Haider fell for 4 in the fifth over, followed by captain Nigar Sultana for a duck, leaving the Tigresses wobbling at 25 for 2.

Sharmin Akhter offered some resistance with 30 runs before departing at 59 for 3. Wickets continued to tumble through the middle overs, with Shorna Akter (10), Ritu Moni (5), Fahima Khatun (7), and Nahida Akter (1) falling cheaply.

Subhana Mostary stood tall amid the collapse, anchoring the innings with a gritty 60 off 108 balls. But it was Rabeya Khan who provided late fireworks, smashing an unbeaten 43 off just 27 balls with six boundaries and a six. Rabeya’s knock lifted Bangladesh to 178.

For England, Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 24, while Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey, and Linsey Smith claimed two wickets each.

The Tigresses will take on New Zealand in their third match on 10 October. This article was originally published on Daily Sun. 

BP/ZE