• Source:JND
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BAN W vs ENG W, Women's World Cup: Bangladesh pushed England to the brink, but Heather Knight's unyielding 79 proved the catalyst for a thrilling comeback, as the four-time champions eked out a hard-fought four-wicket win in their Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

England's bowlers set the tone for a compelling contest, bundling out Bangladesh for 178, before the Three Lions successfully chased down the target, reaching 182 for 6 in 46.1 overs.

Knight remained not out on 79 off 111 balls, while Charlie Dean was unbeaten on 27 off 56, when the winning runs were struck. As she fought the Bangladesh bowlers when they had their tails up, Knight found an able partner in Dean, adding 79 runs for the seventh wicket to shut the issue in their team's favour with 23 balls to spare.

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The Bangladesh bowling attack, led by leg-spinner Fahima Khatun (3/16 in 10 overs) and pacer Marufa Akter (2/28 in 5 overs), put up a resilient effort to leave England at a perilous 78 for five in the 23rd over, and 103 for six in the 30th over.

England were off to a fatal start as they lost Amy Jones (1) in the first over, tangled in front of the wicket by young pacer Akter with a big inswinger after the batter scrambled across.

Bangladesh could have had their second in the next over, but Marufa plopped Tammy Beaumont after the opener failed to hook properly a lofted shot off left-arm spinner Nahida Akter.

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England's revival was unexpectedly halted by Fahima Khatun's binding spell, as she bagged two wickets in one over, including captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, reducing the Three Lions to 69/4.

Fahima further tightened the screws with Emma Lamb's dismissal, but Knight's resolute batting saw England through to victory.