The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is set to host a captivating Women’s World Cup match on Tuesday, featuring only the second One-Day International encounter between England and Bangladesh.
Their solitary prior meeting occurred during the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, where England emerged victorious with a commanding 100-run win, securing their spot in the semifinals.
Despite limited head-to-head history, both teams enter this contest with strikingly similar winning streaks in the current tournament.
Their respective victories have all been low-scoring affairs, where strong bowling performances allowed them to restrict opponents to modest totals, which were then chased down with relative ease.
England’s recent triumph saw them dismantle South Africa by 10 wickets, a victory masterminded by their potent spin trio of Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean, and Sophie Ecclestone. Openers Tamsin Beaumont and Amy Jones then comfortably chased down the target of 70 runs in just 14.1 overs.
Similarly, Bangladesh’s impressive Akter trio—Marufa, Shorna, and Nahida—delivered disciplined bowling performances to limit Pakistan to a mere 129 runs. Rubya Haider’s maiden ODI fifty then anchored the chase, securing a win in 31.1 overs.
While England’s middle-order batters haven’t yet had extensive time at the crease, the presence of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophia Dunkley, a standout performer in their 2022 World Cup clash, underscores the team’s significant batting depth and resilience.
In contrast, the ‘Tigresses’ face a notable challenge due to their shallower batting lineup. Beyond their top five, which includes influential captain Nigar Sultana Joty, there appears to be a lack of batters capable of making a substantial impact with the willow.
Crucially, England has already experienced the spin-friendly conditions at Barsapara. This prior exposure hands them a distinct advantage even before the first ball is bowled, potentially setting the stage for a compelling contest.