Tigress fell short of making it count
In a dramatic encounter at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, Bangladesh suffered a heartbreak as they lost to England by just four wickets in a high-pressure chase in Guwahati, India on Tuesday. What started as a promising fight-back by Bangladesh turned into pain and a near-miss as England’s Heather Knight anchored the chase with grit and composure, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat over the Tigresses.
A Fight to the End: Bangladesh’s Batting Fightback
Bangladesh, having won their opening match, entered the game with confidence. Electing to bat first, they put up a competitive total of 178 runs in their allotted overs. The innings was anchored by Sobhana Mostary, who made a patient 60 off 108 balls, steadying a top order that often wavered under pressure. But Bangladesh faced struggles: regular wickets fell, and their momentum stalled until the late surge by Rabeya Khan.
At No. 9, Rabeya Khan injected life into the total with a fiery 43 not out off 27 balls—a knock full of power, clever sweep shots, and urgency that revived Bangladesh’s chances. She added crucial runs in the final overs, pushing the total past 170, which threatened to cushion Bangladesh’s bowlers.
While the total was modest, the fight in that last segment showed Bangladesh’s fighting spirit. Many observers believed that with disciplined bowling and fielding, they had a realistic shot at pulling off the upset. But heartbreak loomed.
“We lost early wickets but Sobhana Mostary (60) did well but no one was able to support her,” stated Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana. “This sort of wicket, we were short 20 or 30 runs”
England’s Recovery & Knight’s Heroics
England’s chase began shakily. The bowlers struck early and with intent. Fahima Khatun stood out, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs and becoming a key thorn in England’s innings. Marufa Akter chipped in with 2 wickets, striking in the powerplay to unsettle England’s top order.
England captain on Marufa akter, “She’s a very good bowler. She gets that late insuring and she really challenged us up front. Luckily, I got a couple of reprieves.”
At one stage, England slumped to 103 for 6, and it seemed the Tigresses might complete a major upset. In that critical stretch, Heather Knight took charge. Despite being given out three times and saved by umpire reviews, she showed immense resolve to stay in the crease.
“It didn’t feel very easy at the start to be honest. My first proper game in the middle since May. They were very threatening and I just tried to find a method. It was a lot easier as it went on.”
Knight, operating under immense pressure, steadied the innings. She struck a calm yet aggressive half-century, finishing 79 not out, and in partnership with Charlie Dean (27 not out) added a decisive 79-run unbroken stand for the seventh wicket. Their stand took England past the target with 23 balls remaining.
“Before the tournament we spoke as a group that not everything is going to be easy all of the time. It’s going to look gritty so we need a bit of resilience in what we do. It could have looked a bit better, but we got the win.”
England’s victory, thus, was less about dominance and more about surviving adversity. Their spinners—including Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey, and Linsey Smith—grabbed 9 of the 10 Bangladesh wickets, applying sustained pressure.
What Went Wrong for Bangladesh
For Bangladesh, this match will sting. They came so close, yet Bangladesh suffer heartbreak because of a few critical moments:
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Missed opportunities in fielding or reviews: Some controversial umpire decisions went in England’s favor, which Bangladesh felt could have changed momentum.
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Top-order collapses: Early wickets kept Bangladesh from building a stronger total; apart from Mostary, no batter could convert starts.
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Dependence on late surge: The reliance on Rabeya’s late fireworks showed that the innings lacked depth and consistency. When England’s spinners turned it tight in the middle overs, Bangladesh were vulnerable.
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England’s resilience under pressure: Knight’s cool under fire, Dean’s support, and the spinners’ control were masterful. England’s ability to hold composure in crisis made the difference.
Despite the loss, Bangladesh’s performance showed fight, competitiveness, and potential. But in cricket as in life, heartbreak often comes when ambition and execution misalign by the smallest margins.
The Wider Implications: Tournament, Confidence & Lessons
This was Bangladesh’s first loss in the tournament. A win would have propelled them into strong contention early. Instead, they remain in a position where every future match carries weight.
For England, this victory is crucial. It gives them momentum, confidence, and net run rate boost, even if it came through adversity. Their ability to survive such a scare sends a message: they cannot be underestimated in these conditions.
For Tigresses, the lessons are clear:
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Build more consistency up top rather than depending on the tail
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Convert starts to big scores
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Sharpen fielding and review decisions under pressure
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Learn to close out matches—both with ball and bat
If they can internalize these lessons, their heartbreak today may be the foundation for stronger performances ahead.
Heartache Won’t Define Bangladesh
In Guwahati, Bangladesh suffered heartbreak in a match they could almost see victory in. While the scoreboard reads a narrow England win, the margin belied Bangladesh’s fight, resolve, and flashes of brilliance. Cricket is a game of fine lines—and today, Bangladesh were on the wrong side of that line.