England Women survived a major scare against Bangladesh in Match 8 of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, clinching a tense four-wicket win at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Former captain Heather Knight played a gritty, unbeaten knock of 79 off 111 balls to steer her side home in a chase that saw England teetering at 78/5 before recovering to reach 182/6 in 46.1 overs.
The result marked England’s second consecutive win in the tournament, lifting them to the top of the points table on net run rate. Bangladesh, who had stunned Pakistan in their opener, pushed the four-time champions to the brink with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, but Knight’s experience and composure proved decisive.
Match Summary – England vs Bangladesh, Women’s World Cup 2025
| Team | Innings Total | Overs Played | Top Scorer | Top Bowler | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | 178 all out | 49.4 | Sobhana Mostary (60) | Sophie Ecclestone (3/24) | Lost by 4 wickets |
| England | 182/6 | 46.1 | Heather Knight (79*) | Fahima Khatun (3/16) | Won by 4 wickets |
Bangladesh’s innings was built around Sobhana Mostary’s patient 60 off 108 balls and Rabeya Khan’s explosive 43* off 27 deliveries. Despite early setbacks, the Tigresses managed to post a competitive total, thanks to a late flourish from Rabeya, who struck six boundaries and a six.
England’s spin trio—Sophie Ecclestone, Charlotte Dean, and Alice Capsey—shared seven wickets between them, stifling Bangladesh’s middle order and ensuring the target remained within reach.
Bangladesh Batting Performance
| Batter Name | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Dismissal Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sobhana Mostary | 60 | 108 | 55.55 | LBW (Capsey) |
| Rabeya Khan | 43* | 27 | 159.25 | Not out |
| Sharmin Akhter | 30 | 38 | 78.94 | Caught (Ecclestone) |
| Nigar Sultana | 0 | 2 | 0.00 | Caught (Smith) |
England’s chase began shakily as Marufa Akter struck twice in her opening spell, removing Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont. Fahima Khatun then triggered a collapse with three wickets in quick succession, including Nat Sciver-Brunt (32), Sophie Dunkley (0), and Emma Lamb (13), leaving England reeling at 78/5.
Knight, however, held firm. Surviving three close calls—two overturned lbw decisions and a disputed catch—she stitched a match-winning 79-run partnership with Charlotte Dean (27* off 56), guiding England to victory with 23 balls to spare.
England Batting Performance
| Batter Name | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Key Partnerships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Knight | 79* | 111 | 71.17 | 79-run stand with Dean |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | 32 | 41 | 78.04 | 40-run stand with Knight |
| Charlotte Dean | 27* | 56 | 48.21 | Anchored lower order |
| Alice Capsey | 20 | 34 | 58.82 | Brief counterattack |
Knight’s innings was a masterclass in temperament. She absorbed pressure, rotated strike, and capitalized on loose deliveries. Her ability to read the game and adapt to conditions was lauded by teammates and pundits alike.
Post-match, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt praised Knight’s resilience: “She almost walked off a couple of times, but her ability to switch on and read the game was brilliant. That calmness in a high-pressure situation was exactly what we needed.”
Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana admitted her side fell short by 20–30 runs. “We fought till the last ball. But we needed one of the set batters to bat through. The bowling was excellent, but we couldn’t finish strong with the bat.”
Bowling Highlights – England vs Bangladesh
| Bowler Name | Team | Overs Bowled | Wickets Taken | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Ecclestone | England | 10 | 3 | 2.40 |
| Fahima Khatun | Bangladesh | 10 | 3 | 1.60 |
| Marufa Akter | Bangladesh | 5 | 2 | 5.60 |
| Alice Capsey | England | 7 | 2 | 4.42 |
The win puts England in pole position in Group A, ahead of India and Australia. Bangladesh, despite the loss, remain in contention for the semi-finals, having shown grit and tactical discipline.
Women’s World Cup 2025 – Group A Standings (as of Oct 8)
| Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +1.45 |
| India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | +1.12 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | +0.85 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.42 |
Social media erupted with praise for Knight’s innings, with hashtags like #HeatherKnight, #ENGvBAN, and #WomensWorldCup2025 trending across platforms. Fans hailed the match as one of the most thrilling contests of the tournament so far.
Public Sentiment – Social Media Buzz on Knight’s Match-Winning Knock
| Platform | Engagement Level | Sentiment (%) | Top Hashtags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 1.4M mentions | 89% celebratory | #HeatherKnight #ENGvBAN #WWC2025 |
| 1.2M interactions | 91% inspired | #KnightInShiningArmour #CricketQueen | |
| 1M views | 85% proud | #EnglandWomen #KnightMasterclass | |
| YouTube | 950K views | 88% informative | #KnightExplained #WomensCricketBuzz |
In conclusion, England’s narrow win over Bangladesh showcased the depth, resilience, and tactical maturity of their squad. Heather Knight’s unbeaten 79 was not just a match-winning knock—it was a statement of leadership and grit. As the tournament progresses, England’s ability to handle pressure and adapt to conditions will be key to their title ambitions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available match reports, verified tournament data, and expert commentary. It does not constitute player endorsement or statistical certification. Readers are advised to follow updates from the ICC and official tournament portals for accurate information.
