Knight leads England to four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Guwahati

England Women (182-6) beat Bangladesh Women (178ao) by 4 wickets.

England Women battled to secure a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Guwahati, maintaining their unbeaten start to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

England's Heather Knight was the standout performer, producing a composed and determined 79* to guide her side home under pressure — an innings that earned her the Player of the Match award. Her calm presence at the crease proved decisive as England recovered from 103-6 to chase down Bangladesh’s total.

Opting to bowl first, it was Lauren Bell (1-28) who kickstarted the day with an early breakthrough at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, setting the tone with the first wicket of the innings. Her strike brought Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty to the crease, but the skipper’s stay was short-lived as last match’s star performer Linsey Smith (2-33) struck again to remove her for naught.

It was a day dominated by England’s spin quartet. Sophie Ecclestone led the charge with superb figures of 3 for 24, while Smith, Charlie Dean (2-28), and Alice Capsey (2-31) each chipped in with two wickets apiece. The spinners maintained relentless control through the middle overs, with Smith wrapping up the innings in the final over, claiming the last wicket to bowl Bangladesh out for 178.

England’s reply began shakily. Amy Jones fell early for 1, trapped lbw after surviving an initial shout. Tammy Beaumont (13) was given a life in the second over, dropped on just 2, but wickets continued to tumble — Heather Knight surviving three close calls, including a marginal caught-behind decision, an lbw review, and a grounded catch in the field — before finally settling into her rhythm.

Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter (2-28) impressed with the new ball, while Fahima Khatun (3-16) provided strong support through the middle overs, keeping England’s top order under pressure.

64 for 2 at the drinks break, the contest remained finely poised. Shortly after the resumption, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was caught at midwicket for 32, and Sophia Dunkley departed lbw three balls later without scoring, leaving England wobbling at 70 for 4 after 19 overs.

Alice Capsey added a brisk 20, but it was Knight who anchored the chase with a masterful unbeaten 79. Supported by Charlie Dean (27*), she guided England home with composure.

England sealed victory by four wickets, continuing their unbeaten start to the tournament. Their next fixture will see them face Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Saturday 11 October.

Please find post match press conference with Player of the Match Heather Knight HERE.

England's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Schedule 2025

Friday, 3 October: England Women v South Africa Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - England Women won by 10 wickets.

Tuesday, 7 October: England Women v Bangladesh Women, Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati - England Women won by 4 wickets.

Saturday, 11 October: England Women v Sri Lanka Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 10:30BST.

Wednesday, 15 October: England Women v Pakistan Women, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 19 October: India Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Wednesday, 22 October: Australia Women v England Women, Holkar Stadium, Indore. 10:30BST.

Sunday, 26 October: England Women v New Zealand Women, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. 05:30GMT.

Wednesday, 29 October: First Semi-Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.

Thursday, 30 October: Second Semi-Final, Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. 09:30GMT.

Sunday, 02 November: Final, TBC. 09:30GMT.