In a commanding performance at the Women’s ODI World Cup, England’s spinners, spearheaded by the exceptional Sophie Ecclestone, dismantled Bangladesh’s batting line-up, restricting them to just 178 runs. Ecclestone, with her crafty left-arm spin, was the star, bagging impressive figures of 3/24.
Despite the English dominance, Bangladesh’s Sobhana Mostary offered a glimmer of hope with a patient 60 runs off 108 balls. Towards the end of the innings, Rabeya Khan provided some fireworks, smashing an entertaining 43 off just 27 balls, demonstrating a fight that was largely absent from the top order after England chose to field first.
Ecclestone wasn’t the only spinner to shine; off-spinners Charlotte Dean and Alice Capsey also made significant contributions, each claiming two wickets. Dean finished with 2/28 from her ten overs, while Capsey impressed with 2/31 in eight overs.
Having started their tournament strongly with a convincing victory over Pakistan, Bangladesh aimed for a similar confident start. Sharmin Akhter showed early aggression, scoring 14 runs off a single over from Lauren Bell. However, left-arm spinner Linsey Smith maintained tight control from the other end, stifling the scoring opportunities for openers Sharmin Akhter and Rubya Haider.
The first breakthrough came when Bell dismissed Rubya Haider, who mistimed a lofted shot straight into the hands of Sophia Dunkley. England captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt’s decision to stick with Bell, even after Sharmin Akhter hit her for three boundaries, proved crucial. Soon after, skipper Nigar Sultana fell for a duck, caught by Charlie Dean at short cover off Smith’s bowling, leaving Bangladesh reeling with two wickets down in quick succession after a promising start.
As Sobhana Mostary joined Sharmin Akhter, the pair managed to forge a 34-run partnership, hitting some delightful shots. However, Ecclestone intervened in the 16th over, delivering a classic left-arm spin delivery that saw Akhter caught behind, further tilting the game in England’s favor at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, where the atmosphere was occasionally punctuated by the ‘Ya Ali’ song, a tribute to the late Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg.