Sanjida meghla

After Lauren Bell: Sobhana Mostary stood tall amid Bangladesh’s batting collapse, crafting a fighting half-century, but her effort wasn’t enough as the side was bundled out for 178 in 49.4 overs after being asked to bat first against England Women in their Women’s World Cup clash at Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati.

Mostary’s gritty 60 off 108 balls, laced with four boundaries, was the lone highlight in an otherwise disappointing batting display by Bangladesh. She showed composure after Bangladesh lost both openers early, rebuilding the innings with patience and determination. The 22-year-old brought up her maiden ODI fifty off 92 deliveries, holding one end firm while wickets tumbled at the other.

Bangladesh’s innings never gathered momentum. After Lauren Bell (1-24) broke the opening stand of 24 by dismissing Rubya Haider (4) in the fifth over, Linsey Smith (1-33) struck in the next over to remove captain Nigar Sultana for a silver duck. Sharmin Akhter (30) and Mostary steadied the innings briefly, guiding the team to 31/2 at the end of the powerplay. But Sharmin fell soon after the drinks break, edging one to the keeper on 30.