Linsey Smith leads England’s spin quartet to a thrilling 21-run victory over Bangladesh. Discover the match highlights and key performances on our website.
Introduction:
Britain’s spin quartet delivered the knock of death that saw them through a closely fought victory over Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup opener, where they defended a modest total and won by keeping Bangladesh at 93. Sobhana Mostary’s fighting 44 gave some kind of life to the chase, but England’s spinners performed well behind Linsey Smith’s impressive 2 for 11 that restricted Bangladesh’s efforts.
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England’s Early Streak and Woes with the Bat
England’s captain Heather Knight decided to bat first, thinking that they would get a score on the board in such difficult conditions. The innings started with cautiousness as Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Maia Bouchier eyed the slow pitch. Wyatt-Hodge was the first to break the shackles of the fourth over as she sent drives through covers and pulled bits confidently over square leg.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the English batters. Early on, Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge found themselves in a few near-run-outs, with Bouchier barely escaping a direct hit. Lacking early boundaries and some sharp fielding from Bangladesh meant the pressure stayed on the openers.
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Despite missing a couple of half-chances, the partnership ensured an addition of 48 runs in 6.4 overs, and that gave the platform to England. Bouchier’s dismissal at mid-on off Rabeya Khan resulted in a mini-collapse as Nat Sciver-Brunt fell immediately after to the clever leg break from Fahima Khatun. England’s innings derailed to 76 for 4, with Wyatt-Hodge leaving after misjudging a delivery from Nahida Akter.

Bangladesh’s spin strategies tighten the screws End
The Bangladeshi bowlers, led by the brilliant Ritu Moni and Fahima Khatun, milked the slow pitch to perfection after the powerplay to deny free scoring for England. England scored just 29 for the loss of four wickets in the next 6.1 overs as the Bangladeshi bowlers clicked it into place with their variations. Moni bowled a beauty to dismiss Heather Knight, getting it to nip through the gate and crash into the stumps.

Although Alice Capsey and Danielle Gibson strove hard to set their side back on the right lines, pressure of a slow pitch was doing its damage. One of the few positive moments in late stages of the innings was a last ball six to Sophie Ecclestone off the penultimate ball as England managed to eventually finish with 111 for 7.
Sobhana Mostary Anchors Bangladesh’s Chase
Bangladesh had a lowish start to their chase, losing two wickets in the powerplay. Dilara Akter was sent lbw by Charlie Dean, while Shathi Rani fell well to a catch to the hands of Sophie Ecclestone from the bowling of Linsey Smith. Bangladesh was really struggling to get any kind of momentum at 20 for 2.

Sobhana Mostary, Bangladesh’s top scorer in their victory over Scotland, played a combative knock to keep her team in the hunt. She found an ally in captain Nigar Sultana and painstakingly started rebuilding the innings. Nigar looked to play some big shots and hit Sarah Glenn for two boundaries. She tried to take a risky second run and ended up being run out.
Mostary continued her innings with a spectacular six off Charlie Dean, but Bangladesh were unable to capitalise on partnerships as the England spinners tightened their grip in the final overs, with Dean and Glenn setting a tight stranglehold over the middle overs. Mostary’s dismissal for a career-best 44 was the end of hope for Bangladesh, finishing well short of the target.

Linsey Smith leading the bowling
It was a wise choice made by the England team in opting for four spinners which really came out to be a great move in the slow pitch of Sharjah. Linsey Smith, who was out of the side for the last six years, really made an instant impact and proved to be very crucial with two crucial wickets and one run-out assist. As a bowling unit, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean were miserly in such a manner that they were constantly applying pressure to the batters of Bangladesh. Even though Ecclestone went wicketless, she still proved crucial in stifling the chase.
Conclusion
England would not have got a big total, but their spinners ensured it was just enough in the end for a comfortable victory. Sobhana Mostary’s fighting innings give hope to Bangladesh, but partnerships and a poor showing from England’s slow bowlers were the difference between the teams. For England, though, they will be happy enough to have won, but with the bat in future games they will need to improve themselves.