Heather Knight bails England out to deny Bangladesh a major upset in Women's World Cup 2025
England veteran and former captain Heather Knight played a masterful unbeaten knock of 79 to bail England out and deny Bangladesh a major upset in the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 on Tuesday, October 7. Knight held England's innings falling innings together as she took the team home in a 179-run chase against the Bangladesh side at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
England were in trouble as they failed to build strong partnerships with the Bangladesh bowlers, putting up a spirited effort. Marufa Akter began the magic for Bangladesh with her twin wickets in the first seven overs. Knight could have gone first ball after being given out for caught behind off Marufa Akter, but a review saved her after there was no conclusive evidence of the ball hitting the bat when it was next to the pads. The ball hit the pads first and it wasn't clear whether it hit the bat or not.
She was saved again on eight after she was given once again, this time for an LBW off Marufa again. But a review saved her as she had come down the pitch, which made the ball go over the stumps.
Knight was given out once again, this time caught at mid-off on the bowling of Fahima Khatun. She was walking back, but the third umpire decided to take a look at Shorna Akter's effort. But the low-catch effort was overturned, as Shorna seemed to have grounded it while catching in a decision which was not conclusive yet again.
Khatun took three wickets, and Bangladesh kept chipping away. Knight held one end up and took the team home after getting strong support from vice-captain Charlie Dean, who made an unbeaten 27 in an unbeaten 79-run stand.
Bangladesh had earlier put only 178 on the board, and that too after the fireworks of Rabeya Khan down the order. Sobhana Mostary had laboured to a 108-ball 60 run knock, while the other Bangladesh batters also struggled to find their feet.
Bangladesh gave England a major scare in the second innings but it was not enough as the the Three Lions clinched a four-wicket win.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 178 in 49.4 overs (Sobhana Mostary 60, Rabeya Khan 43*; Sophie Ecclestone 3-24, Charlie Dean 2-28) lost to England 182/6 in 46.1 overs (Heather Knight 79*, Nat Sciver-Brunt 32; Fahima Khatun 3-16, Marufa Akter 2-28) by 4 wickets.
