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Knight survives three on-field dismissals in nervy innings against Bangladesh
ByFfion Wynne
BBC Sport journalist
Heather Knight's unbeaten 79 led England to an unconvincing four-wicket win over Bangladesh to maintain their winning start to the Women's World Cup in Guwahati.
Chasing just 179 to win on a tricky pitch, England slumped to 78-5 and 103-6 as their familiar woes against spin continued to surface.
But a patient, unbroken stand of 79 between Knight and Charlie Dean, who made 27, saw England reach their target in the 47th over.
Seamer Marufa Akter removed openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont early with swinging deliveries, before the turning point came in the 15th over when former captain Knight was given a reprieve on 13.
Knight drilled the ball to Shorna Akter at extra cover, but the third umpire deemed that the fielder had dragged the ball along the turf as she dived forward, with this coming after Knight had also overturned a caught behind and an lbw.
From there on, she was gritty and disciplined in her first innings back from a hamstring injury as England edged a nerve-wracking contest which would have been one of the tournament's all-time upsets.
Fahima Khatun was the instigator of England's middle-order wobble with 3-16, leading an admirable bowling and fielding performance after their batters had similarly struggled.
England's spinners unsurprisingly dominated, taking nine wickets between them as Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 in 49.4 overs.
Sophie Ecclestone starred with 3-24 while Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith and Alice Capsey took two wickets apiece.
There was stubborn resistance from Sobhana Mostary, who made 60 from 108 balls, before Rabeya Khan provided some late and valuable momentum with an unbeaten 43 from 27.
England travel to Colombo to continue their campaign, taking on Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Knight keeps her cool after England stumble
'It's been a really hard grind' - Best shots from Knight's unbeaten 79
England came into the tournament with a point to prove after the Ashes and series defeats against India in the summer, and one of their biggest struggles in recent times has been to perform under pressure.
It looked like that trend was continuing in the most shocking of twists, with Beaumont and Jones undone by swing before some soft dismissals followed.
Nat Sciver-Brunt softly hit a full toss to mid-wicket having looked in good touch for 32, Sophia Dunkley was trapped on the crease to be pinned lbw for nought and Emma Lamb chipped Fahima to mid-off for one.
But Knight absorbed all of the pressure, having survived the three scares - and the catch that was not given had clearly aggrieved the Bangladesh fielders with captain Nigar Sultana Joty seen in conversation with the on-field umpires.
Knight used all of her experience, playing in her 151st one-day international, and refused to panic. She had 15 from her first 50 balls, and her 86-ball fifty was the second slowest of her England career.
Once she had settled in unfamiliar conditions, she swept effectively and used her feet to nullify the spin, and found mature support in both Dean and Alice Capsey, who made 20 before she was pinned lbw by a beautiful turning delivery from Sanjida Akther Maghla.
Dean's simple gameplan of rotating the strike with Knight was exactly what England needed with little run-rate pressure, and was a lesson in discipline to the top order.
Bangladesh may have fallen short but they showed that they cannot be taken lightly in these conditions, and while England dragged themselves over the line, it was a timely reminder of the challenges that they have to come after the convincing opening win against South Africa.
