Smith and Dean spin England to victory over Bangladesh

In their opening ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 encounter, the 2009 champions defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs thanks to the impressive spin of Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith from England.

Bangladesh struggled to match England's 118 for seven, in which Danni Wyatt-Hodge top scored with 41. Smith took two for 11 and Dean two for 22.

After defeating Scotland in their opening match, Sobhana Mostary's team struggled to form lasting alliances and suffered their first loss of the tournament. She scored 44 in response.

The first boundary of the innings came midway through the fourth over, courtesy of Wyatt-Hodge, who had earlier been forced to dive to make her ground attempting a dangerous single, so England had to be patient early on after choosing to bat.

When Rabeya Khan missed an easy opportunity to put the ball at point with the batter on 16, her opening partner Maia Bouchier appeared to have a lifeline. However, Rabeya quickly made apologies, dismissing Bouchier for 23 as she chipped to mid-on.

At the beginning of the 13th over, England was down to 76 for four after Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight fell for single digit scores, and Wyatt-Hodge followed for 41, stumped off the bowling of Nahida Akter.

While Rabeya, who gave up just 15 runs in her four overs, could have followed Nahida, Fahima Khatun, and Ritu Moni in their progress, Marufa spoiled a great opportunity when Amy Jones misplayed an attacking shot.

In the 19th over, a rare boundary helped England reach three digits. Sophie Ecclestone then hit the penultimate ball of the innings for six to assist her team reach 118 for seven.

In response, the Bangladeshi chase got off to an exciting start as Dilara Akter escaped a review in the opening over before being removed by a diving Alice Capsey at mid-wicket.

Charlie Dean's second delivery eventually trapped Dilara in front, and Shathi Rani, her opening partner, was quick to follow when she was unable to clear Sophie Ecclestone off Linsey Smith's bowling at mid-off.

Bangladesh was still in the hunt at the midway point, which they reached on 42 for two, thanks to two boundaries from Sarah Glenn's opening over by Captain Nigar Sultana Joty, who gave the pursuit some much-needed momentum.

But when England delivered a crushing punch in the 12th over, with Smith's flat throw defeating Joty's dive, the captain was run out for 15.

As she reached 44 from 48 balls and smashed her side's sole six of the innings, Sobhana made sure that her side still had hope. However, Dean, who had taken revenge for having lost the maximum, trapped her in front of the bowl.

On Monday, England will try to make it two wins out of three against South Africa. On Thursday, Bangladesh will play the West Indies.

Quick scores

At the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, England will play Bangladesh.

England 118/7 in 20 overs (Danni Wyatt-Hodge 41, Maia Bouchier 23; Fahima Khatun 2/18, Ritu Moni 2/24)

Bangladesh 97/7 in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 44, Nigar Sultana 15; Linsey Smith 2/11, Charlie Dean 2/22)

Result: England win by 21 runs