When Nat Sciver‑Brunt, England women's captain won the toss at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati, she elected to bowl first against Bangladesh women's cricket team during the eighth match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. England women chased down 182 in 46.1 overs, sealing a four‑wicket win that propelled them to the top of the group table.
Match overview and key moments
Bangladesh were bundled out for 178 in 49.4 overs, a total built around a gritty 60 from Sobhana Mostary and a blistering 43 off just 27 balls by Rabeya Khan. The early wickets fell quickly – Lauren Bell dismissed Rubya Haider and Linsey Smith bowled out captain Nigar Sultana Joty for a duck in the powerplay. By the time the overs rolled past the 30‑over mark, Bangladesh were 108 for 5, unable to stitch together any lasting partnerships.
England’s chase was anything but a stroll. Heather Knight anchored the innings with an unbeaten 79 off 111 balls, while the captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt added a quick‑fire 32. Charlie Dean chipped in 27, guiding the side past the target with five balls to spare.
England’s bowling dominance
The English bowlers set the tone from the first over. Sophie Ecclestone rattled the Bangladesh top order, finishing with figures of 3 for 24. Her off‑spin turned sharply on the humid Guwahati pitch, earning two early wickets. Charlie Dean and Alice Capsey each took two wickets, while Linsey Smith added another pair, making the middle overs a nightmare for the Bangladeshi batters.
In total, England claimed 9 of the 10 wickets that fell, restricting Bangladesh to a sub‑200 total – a score that, on paper, should have been comfortably chaseable. The figures underline why England’s spin unit, especially Ecclestone and Smith, have been lauded as tournament‑changing.
Bangladesh’s fighting spirit
Despite the loss, Bangladesh showed flashes of promise. Mostary’s 60 was built on patience; she reached her half‑century in 92 balls, grinding out 7 fours. Rabeya Khan then unleashed a late surge, smashing six boundaries and a six in just 27 deliveries – a cameo that briefly revived hopes of a defendable total.
On the bowling front, Fahima Khatun harvested 3 for 16, keeping England’s run‑rate in check during the middle overs. Marufa Akter contributed 2 for 28, proving that Bangladesh can still trouble even the best batting line‑ups.
Player reactions and tactical insights
After the match, Knight was named Player of the Match. “It was a great game,” she said, smiling as she accepted the award. “The bowlers gave us a platform, and I just tried to make sure we kept the momentum.”
Sciver‑Brunt, reflecting on the toss decision, noted, “We had a lot of success, so everyone’s pretty confident, but we start fresh today. Using Linsey in the powerplay was the right call – she hit her area beautifully.”
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty admitted she would have liked to bat first. “If we had the toss, we’d have taken it,” she said. “Our win over Pakistan gave us belief, and we wanted to build on that.” The captain also praised the younger players, highlighting how Mostary and Khan have “stepped up when it mattered.”
Cricket analyst James Hart (formerly of Sky Sports) observed, “The humid conditions in Guwahati made the ball grip, turning the match into a spinner’s contest. England’s decision to back their spin trio paid dividends, but Bangladesh’s late‑order fireworks kept the pressure alive.”
Implications for the tournament
England’s win moves them to the summit of Group A, with two points from two games. The victory also cements their reputation as the team to beat, especially with the spin attack looking in peak form.
Bangladesh, despite the loss, remain unbeaten in the group, having beaten Pakistan in the previous fixture. Their ability to post competitive totals and snare wickets against a top‑ranked side suggests they could be a dark horse as the tournament progresses.
Upcoming fixtures: England face South Africa on February 23, while Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka a day later. Both matches will be crucial in determining which side advances to the Super Six stage.
Key facts
- Match: England Women vs Bangladesh Women – 8th match of ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
- Venue: Baraspara Stadium, Guwahati
- Result: England won by 4 wickets (182/6 in 46.1 overs)
- Top scorer: Heather Knight – 79* (England)
- Best bowler: Sophie Ecclestone – 3/24 (England)
- Bangladesh’s leading run‑scorer: Sobhana Mostary – 60
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect England’s chances of reaching the knockout stage?
The win puts England top of Group A with six points, meaning they need just one more victory to guarantee a Super Six berth. Their net run‑rate also improves, giving them a cushion if other results go their way.
Which Bangladeshi players stood out despite the loss?
Sobhana Mostary’s measured 60 anchored the innings, while Rabeya Khan’s explosive 43 off 27 showcased the team's emerging power‑hitting talent. On the bowling side, Fahima Khatun’s 3 for 16 kept England’s chase in check.
Why was spin so effective in Guwahati?
The humid evenings at Baraspara Stadium make the pitch tackier, offering extra grip for spinners. Both sides exploited this, but England’s variety – off‑spin from Ecclestone and left‑arm wrist spin from Smith – proved especially lethal.
What are the key challenges England faces in the next match?
South Africa’s batting depth will test England’s bowlers, while England must avoid complacency after a strong start. Maintaining the momentum of their spin attack and capitalising on early wickets will be crucial.
How did the toss decision influence the outcome?
Choosing to bowl first let England use the new ball under favorable conditions, allowing their spinners to settle early. It also put Bangladesh under scoreboard pressure, which they never fully recovered from.
shirish patel
October 8, 2025 AT 02:40Well, England's spin wizardry just proved why they booked the next season's tickets to the moon.
srinivasan selvaraj
October 12, 2025 AT 05:20The triumph of England's spin in Guwahati feels like a symphony where each turn of the ball writes a note of destiny.
I can still picture the humid air wrapping around the pitch, coaxing the ball to bite the surface with a ferocity rarely witnessed in a women's World Cup.
Sophie Ecclestone’s three for twenty‑four was not just a statistic but a masterclass in deception, each delivery a whispered secret between bowler and seam.
When Linsey Smith dove into the powerplay and clipped the wicket, it was as if the very ground applauded her aggression.
The Bangladesh side, though valiant, seemed to stumble over invisible hurdles, their hopes flickering like candles in a storm.
Sobhana Mostary’s patient sixty was a beacon of perseverance, a reminder that patience can sculpt victories even in defeat.
Rab Rabeya Khan’s explosive forty‑three, however, ignited the crowd, a fireworks display that briefly turned the tide of the narrative.
The partnership of Knight and Sciver‑Brunt was a dance of composure, each run a step toward redemption.
Watching Charlie Dean’s calm finish with five balls left reminded me of a clock ticking down to perfection.
The spin trio’s dominance turned Guwahati into a backyard for their artistry, every turn a brushstroke on the canvas of the match.
The analysts may dissect numbers, but the feeling in the stadium was a raw, electric pulse that no chart can capture.
Even the rain‑kissed clouds seemed to linger, as if the heavens themselves were listening to the spin’s lullaby.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Fahima Khatun, gave England a run‑rate battle that tested nerves and strategy alike.
In hindsight, the decision to bowl first was a chess move that paid off, setting the board for England’s eventual checkmate.
Ultimately, this match will be remembered not just for the wickets, but for the emotion that surged through every fan, player, and spectator alike.
PRAVIN PRAJAPAT
October 16, 2025 AT 08:00Spin magic is overrated it hides batting flaws and inflates bowling stats
Ravi Patel
October 20, 2025 AT 10:40Great effort by both sides the game showed how tightly contested women's cricket can be
Piyusha Shukla
October 24, 2025 AT 13:20Sure the spin was good but the real story is the under‑utilised pace bowlers they never got a chance
Shivam Kuchhal
October 28, 2025 AT 16:00It is with great admiration that I commend the England side for their meticulous execution and strategic acumen, which undoubtedly set a benchmark for forthcoming fixtures.
Adrija Maitra
November 1, 2025 AT 18:40Wow the way Knight stayed cool was like watching a hero in a movie the crowd could feel every run
RISHAB SINGH
November 5, 2025 AT 21:20Bangladesh showed heart they can bounce back next match keep believing
Deepak Sonawane
November 10, 2025 AT 00:00From a biomechanical perspective the grip pressure differential exploited by Ecclestone's finger seam rotation yields a Magnus effect amplification, thereby increasing turn velocity beyond conventional thresholds.
Suresh Chandra Sharma
November 14, 2025 AT 02:40Hey folks if you wanna catch the next game just follow the ICC app its super easy and you won't miss any of the action