United Arab Emirates (AP) — England defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs, handing the tournament host a second straight group loss and sending it to the verge of falling out of semifinal contention.
Danielle Wyatt-Hodge led England by scoring 41 off 40 in their 118-7. Bangladesh could make only 97-7 despite Sobhana Mostary’s 44 off 48.
Maia Bouchier gave England a good start with 23 off 18. She hit three fours and put on 48 off 40 balls for the opening stand with Wyatt-Hodge.
Bangladesh’s spinners went to work, and leg-spinner Fahima Khatun grabbed 2-18 in four overs and left-armer Nahida Akter 2-32.
They removed the opening duo and Nat Sciver-Brunt for 2. Ritu Moni bowled Heather Knight for 6, and England was 76-4.
When Wyatt-Hodge, who struck five fours, fell in the 13th over — stumped off Aktar — England’s batting was unable to kick on.
Only Amy Jones (12) also reached double figures as England scored 42 runs off the last 47 deliveries.
Mostary’s second 35-plus score in consecutive games propped up Bangladesh’s innings. She hit a four and a six.
But only one other batter reached double figures, Nigar Sultana’s 15 off 20 balls. Her run out in the 12th over changed their course.
Sultana and Mostary rebuilt the innings from 17-2 in the fifth over by putting on 34.
Mostary held one end together and was last out, lbw, in the 19th over, but Bangladesh had already lost momentum in its chase.
Spinners Linsey Smith, 2-11, and Charlie Dean, 2-22, were suffocating.