ENG W VS BAN W MATCH 8

And that’s a wrap! Not the most dominant of wins for England Women, as Bangladesh Women did manage to test them at different stages. But that’s what quality sides do, they hold their nerve, seize the key moments, and eventually find a way to cross the line. Bangladesh Women simply did not have enough runs on the board and will no doubt reflect on the errors they made in this game as they look to improve in their next fixture. The action continues in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, as we have another exciting game lined up. Australia Women will take on Pakistan Women in Colombo, on Wednesday, 8th of October, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT). Be sure to join us for all the early build-up and toss action. Until the players take the field again, goodbye from all of us, and cheers!

The victorious captain of England Women, NAT SCIVER-BRUNT, cannot hide her smile after a hard-fought victory. She says that they are happy to be on the winning side. Adds that Capsey bowled well and got crucial wickets for them. She says that they lost some runs in the death overs and they would look to improve on that. She ends by saying that they have a balanced side and Charlie Dean batting so well in the high pressure situation was excellent. Ends by saying that Heather Knight is excellent and she reads the game really well.

The captain of Bangladesh Women, NIGAR SULTANA JOTY, reflects on the defeat. She says that it was an incredible game. She says that they lost early wickets and that is what cost them and they fell short of 20-30 runs. She adds that Rabeya Khan batted well but they failed to capitalise in the middle overs. She ends by saying that they failed to bowl in the right areas and they failed to break their last partnership.

England's HEATHER KNIGHT is unarguably the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for her unbeaten, match-winning 79. She says that it was a great game and Bangladesh bowlers were excellent. Adds that the pitch was a bit tricky and that made the batting difficult but it got easier as she kept on batting for long. She says that Marufa is an excellent talent and she gets a late swing, which is rare. She is happy that she got a couple of reprieves. She ends by saying that Alice Capsey did well and Charlie Dean was excellent with the bat towards the end and she is happy to be on the winning side.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, Bangladesh Women were bundled out for 178 in 49.4 overs after a rather challenging outing with the bat. Despite a composed maiden ODI fifty from Sobhana Mostary and a spirited late flourish from Rabeya Khan, the total remained below par. England’s bowlers were exceptional in their discipline and consistency. Sophie Ecclestone (3/24), Linsey Smith (2/33), Charlie Dean (2/28), and Alice Capsey (2/31) all chipped in with crucial breakthroughs to ensure Bangladesh never quite found the momentum they needed.

Full credit to the Bangladeshi spinners, who turned what looked like a straightforward chase into a genuine contest. They rotated as many as eight bowlers, but it was Fahima Khatun who truly applied the squeeze, with solid support from Shanjida Akther Maghla and Shorna Akter. Earlier, Marufa Akter set the tone brilliantly by removing both English openers with a fiery new-ball spell, but her unfortunate injury after five overs forced her to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines. But apart from those moments, they failed to seize the crucial passages of play, allowing far too many easy singles that kept the scoreboard moving. In a game where they were already short of runs, that lack of sustained pressure proved costly.

The two veterans of the English side, Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt, steadied the ship for a while, but Sciver-Brunt departed after a well-made 32. Knight, however, rode her luck, surviving a few close calls that went her way, and made sure to capitalise, punishing Bangladesh for those missed chances. With Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, and Alice Capsey all falling in quick succession, the responsibility to see England home rested solely on Knight’s shoulders. At 103 for 6, with a fair bit still left to chase, Charlie Dean offered the composure England desperately needed. She joined forces with Knight, and together they ensured there were no further slip-ups, guiding the innings with calm assurance. Knight scored a fantastic half century and Dean's calm 27 proved just enough for England to cross the line.

It was a modest target of 179, but as so often in white-ball cricket, early breakthroughs can completely shift the momentum, and that’s precisely what unfolded. England Women were jolted at the start, losing both openers in quick time inside the Powerplay. The Bangladeshi bowlers made excellent use of the conditions, and their spinners, in particular, tightened the screws during the middle phase, mirroring how the English attack had earlier made the Bangladeshi batters huff and puff for every run.

What could have been a straightforward chase for England Women was turned into a real contest by Nigar Sultana Joty and her spirited side, who fought valiantly till the end. Yet, the task always looked like a mountain too steep to scale. But they did make England dig deep and also frustrated their batters consistently. With this win, though, England Women climb to the top of the table with two wins in two games.

FOUR! DEAN HITS THE WINNING RUNS! Mostary serves a full toss, outside off. Dean steps out and smashes it through cover and mid off for a cracking boundary. ENGLAND WOMEN WIN BY 4 WICKETS AND 23 BALLS TO SPARE!

Leg break, turning away from middle with some bounce. Knight is squared up but manages to get a faint outside edge and the ball rolls beside the keeper.

SCORES ARE LEVEL NOW! Good length, on middle, Dean hangs deep inside the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flat and full on middle and leg, Knight sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

IN THE AIR... LANDS SAFE! Floated full and on the stumps. Heather Knight charges down the track and tries to clear long off, but mistimes off the toe end. Luckily, she manages to clear the infield and scampers back for the second run.

On a length, outside off, punched to backward point.

Full and on the leg stump, this is clipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.