Knight Leads England to Hard-Fought Win Over Bangladesh

In the latest match of the ICC Women’s World Cup, Bangladesh gave them a real scare before Heather Knight, cool and stubborn, batted through for an unbeaten 79 to pull off a four-wicket win Tuesday night.

Bangladesh’s 178 didn’t look much at first glance, but it came with heart.

Sobhana Mostary, all patience and clean timing, made 60 — her first ODI fifty — while Rabeya Khan’s late burst, 43 from 27 balls, added the energy they badly needed.

For a side still learning how to play these big games, it wasn’t bad at all.

England’s spinners kept it tight.

Sophie Ecclestone was, as usual, impossible to get away, finishing with 3 for 24. Capsey and Dean got two each.

The Bangladesh batters went 10 overs without a boundary, but they never really gave up. They just didn’t have enough firepower once the top order folded.

When England began the chase, Marufa Akter came flying in. The teenager trapped Amy Jones lbw in her first over and got Tammy Beaumont a few minutes later. For a moment, it felt like something might happen.

And when Fahima Khatun took three quick wickets — including Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley — England were in deep trouble at 78 for 5.

That’s when Knight took over.

It wasn’t pretty. She scratched around early, mistimed a few, survived three reviews, and looked short of touch. But she hung in. That’s what she does. She and Charlie Dean, who made 27 off 56 balls, just stayed there, knocking singles, slowly draining the tension out of the game.

By the time Knight reached fifty, England were already back in control. The last few overs were a formality. Dean drove the winning runs through midwicket with 23 balls left.

Bangladesh will leave with some regret, maybe, but also pride. They bowled with purpose, fielded hard, and made one of the world’s best sides work for every run. Marufa’s pace and Fahima’s spell were reminders that this team is learning fast, reports UNB.

It wasn’t their night — but it felt close enough to be one soon.