LIVE: Marufa removes Jones, Beaumont early in CWC25 clash

Marufa Akter gave Bangladesh the perfect start by dismissing Amy Jones and Tasmin Beaumont in in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup match against England in Guwahati. Jones was trapped LBW in the very first over with a sharp inswinger that caught her by surprise.

Beaumont departed in similar fashion, undone by another sharp inswinger. Though the umpire initially gave her not out, Bangladesh reviewed successfully and the decision was overturned.

Opting to bowl after winning the toss, England delivered a disciplined bowling performance to bundle out Bangladesh for 178.

Sobhana Mostary (60) held the innings together with a crucial fifty while Rabeya Khatun’s unbeaten cameo (47*) added some late resistance. However regular wickets derailed Bangladesh’s progress as they fell short of the 200-run mark.

Sophie Ecclestone (3/24) once again impressed with the ball while Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean and Alice Capsey all claimed two wickets apiece. Lauren Bell also claimed a wicket, providing England with the first breakthrough of the innings.

It was Capsey who claimed the crucial wicket of Mostary, who was trapped on the pads and while the on-field umpire initially ruled her not out, England reviewed successfully to overturn the decision.

Following Mostary’s dismissal, Khatun injected momentum into the innings with a fiery 43 off 27 balls, scoring six boundaries and a six. But with wickets tumbling around her, Bangladesh were eventually bowled out.

At 108/5, Bangladesh were already under pressure before Ecclestone further tightened England’s grip with quick wickets of Fahima Khatun and Nahida Akter.

England struck with two crucial wickets in the powerplay, dismissing Rubya Haider and Nigar-Sultana Joty. Lauren Bell provided England with the first breakthrough as she struck with the wicket of Haider. In the following over, Joty got out for a duck with Linsey Smith claiming her wicket.

Earlier Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt of England won the toss and chose to bowl first against Bangladesh. While England cruised to a ten-wicket win against South Africa in their World Cup opener, Bangladesh's disciplined bowling attack ensured them a seven-wicket win against Pakistan in their first game.

Both teams will be looking to get their second win on the trot to gain momentum and confidence.

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