Sharjah international cricket stadium

Sharjah International Cricket Stadium: On a day when spinners ruled the roost, England’s four-pronged spin attack combined to defeat Bangladesh by 21 runs in a low-scoring match and make a winning start in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday. The Group B favourites picked all four of their leading spinners, and the quartet were put to work after England could only set a target of 119 with a batting effort that fizzled out after a 48-run first-wicket stand. Bangladesh closed on 97/7, still 21 runs short of their target.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge top scored with 41 for England, but it was the Bangladesh bowlers who shone as evening turned into night in Sharjah, with Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun and Nahida Akter picking up two wickets apiece in an excellent team effort.

The ball continued to dominate during Bangladesh’s chase, with only Sobhana Mostary showing any fluency with a knock of 44 that made England sweat a little, the ICC reports.