England vs Bangladesh Highlights, Women's World Cup 2025: Stunning Heather Knight fifty saves England, defeat Bangladesh by four wickets

Lauren Bell to Sharmin Akhter, Hard length, on the stumps. Akhter looks to punch on the up, but gets an inside edge onto the pads. A tidy start for Bell and England.

Lauren Bell to Sharmin Akhter, EDGED AND FOUR! A tough chance for Knight in the first slip. Outswinger, on a good length, on off. Sharmin Akhter goes fishing at it, playing away from the body with barely any footwork. Ends up edging it between the keeper and the first slip. The ball dips low in front-left of Heather Knight at the first slip. Knight bends low to scoop the ball with her left hand but the ball bounces ahead of her, and she does not manage to cleanly hold onto it. It is parried behind to the fence for a boundary.

Lauren Bell to Sharmin Akhter, On the fuller side, nipping away, outside off. Sharmin Akhter tries to drive that through cover, but the ball snakes away and zips past the outside edge.

Lauren Bell to Sharmin Akhter, BEATEN! That inviting length, just outside off, curving away late from a length. Sharmin Akhter is forced to draw the front foot ahead and poke at it. Gets beaten on the outside edge as she plays inside the line.

Lauren Bell to Sharmin Akhter, Shapes away from off, on a hard length, at 71 mph. Sharmin Akhter watches the ball closely before opting to leave.

Lauren Bell to Rubya Haider, Haider and Bangladesh are off the mark straightaway! A bit of inswing on a length, around the leg stump. Rubya Haider hangs back and nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Done with all the pre-match rituals, as 'Amar Shonar Bangla' and 'God Save the King' are sung with high emotions. It is now time for the action to get going in the 8th match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, 2025. It is pretty warm and humid out there as mentioned by Julia Price during the pitch report. But the forecast suggests there might be a band of thunderstorms and rain later in the evening. But for now, things look bright with no cloud in sight. Let's hope that remains the same during the match hours. The two umpires walk out to the center. Nat Sciver-Brunt leads her girls out of the team huddle as England Women spread out to take their positions on the field. Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akhter walk out to open for Bangladesh Women. And as usual, Lauren Bell has the new ball and will bowl the first over of the game. A slip and a gully in position first up as Rubya prepares to face. The countdown is done and off we go...

The flags of both nations unfurl in the middle as the two sets of players, followed by the match officials, line up for their national anthems. The national anthem of Bangladesh will be played first, followed by that of England.

England Women's Amy Jones is up for a chat with the broadcasters. Amy says that the last game was excellent and with Linsey getting South Africa's key batters was excellent. She says that everyone is in a positive mood and they have excellent spinners. She says that batting with Tammy always feels good and they will look to do the same in this game. She ends by saying that she has watched Bangladesh play against Pakistan and she is ready for the challenge.

PITCH REPORT - Pitchside, former Australia keeper-batter, Julia Price, and West Indies star Carlos Brathwaite share their insights ahead of this clash. Julia notes the warm and humid conditions, with temperatures around 31 degrees, and details the ground dimensions with the square boundaries measuring 56 and 57 meters, while straight hits stretch out to 67 meters. She confirms that pitch number four is being used for the match. Carlos Brathwaite highlights the importance of spin on this surface. He observes that the pitch is dark with some moisture and carries visible cracks, meaning bowlers need to keep the stumps under constant threat. He points out the contrasting styles of England’s spinners - the tall Sophie Ecclestone generates significant turn, while the shorter Linsey Smith’s low trajectory can beat the inside edge. He emphasizes that, regardless of style, bowlers must maintain a disciplined, wicket-to-wicket line to make the most of the conditions.

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI) - Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana Joty (C/WK), Sobhana Mostary, Mst Ritu Moni (In for Fargana Hoque), Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, and Shanjida Akther Maghla (In for Nishita Akter Nishi).

England Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones (WK), Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (C), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell.

The captain of Bangladesh Women, Nigar Sultana Joty, says that they would have batted first anyway. Highlights that the win against Pakistan has given them a lot of confidence. Says they are looking forward to improving with the bat. Adds that the young players are coming into the team, and it is good to see them perform well. Informs that they are going with a couple of changes.

The captain of England Women, Nat Sciver-Brunt, says that they will bowl first. She adds that they had a lot of success and they are positive about coming into this game. Shares that they had really good preparations, and they also had some rest before preparing for this game. Says they would like to start afresh and make sure that the practice is as purposeful as possible. She says that the last game was excellent, and Linsey Smith has been in great form. Ends by saying they are going with the same side.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin is won by England Women and Nat Sciver-Brunt elects to BOWL first.