On Sunday, October 5, 2024, England secured a 21-run victory against Bangladesh in their opening match of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah. This victory marked a positive start for Heather Knight’s team as they look to build momentum in the tournament,
England’s Innings: Slow Start but Steady Finish
After winning the toss, Heather Knight opted to bat first. Openers Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier made a strong start, contributing 48 runs for the first wicket. Wyatt-Hodge top-scored with 41 off 40 balls, hitting five boundaries. Bouchier chipped in with a brisk 23 off 18 balls before being caught.
However, England’s middle order struggled against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling. Key players like Nat Sciver-Brunt (2) and Heather Knight (6) were dismissed cheaply. Bangladesh’s bowlers, led by Fahima Khatun (2-18) and Ritu Moni (2-24), applied consistent pressure. Nahida Akter (2-32) also played a vital role in restricting England to a modest total of 118-7 in 20 overs,
Bangladesh’s Chase: Resistance but No Breakthrough
Chasing 119, Bangladesh faced a tough start as their openers were quickly removed by England’s spinners. Charlie Dean (2-22) and Linsey Smith (2-11) made early inroads, reducing Bangladesh to 17-2 within the powerplay. Despite a fighting knock from Sobhana Mostary, who scored 44 off 48 balls, Bangladesh could not build partnerships. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty managed 15 runs before being run out, leaving Bangladesh’s lower order to struggle against England’s spin attack,
Key Performances and Turning Points
Sobhana Mostary stood out for Bangladesh, but the frequent loss of wickets hampered their chase. England’s spinners, including Sarah Glenn (1-22) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (1-20), shared wickets and maintained tight control over the game. Eventually, Bangladesh finished on 97-7, falling 21 runs short of the target,
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| England | 118/7 | 20 |
| Bangladesh | 97/7 | 20 |
England’s Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Wickets | Economy Rate | Overs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linsey Smith | 2 | 2.75 | 4 |
| Charlie Dean | 2 | 5.50 | 4 |
| Sarah Glenn | 1 | 5.50 | 4 |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | 1 | 5.00 | 4 |
Bangladesh’s Top Performers
| Batter | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sobhana Mostary | 44 | 48 | 91.67 |
| Nigar Sultana Joty | 15 | 20 | 75.00 |
What’s Next
England will face South Africa in their next group match on October 7, while Bangladesh will look to bounce back against West Indies on October 11(icc).
With this victory, England has set a strong foundation in their Group B campaign and will aim to continue winning in the upcoming matches.
