England's defence of the Women's Cricket World Cup began in heart-stopping fashion as Heather Knight's side secured a dramatic two-wicket victory over Pakistan in their tournament opener.
Nail-Biting Finish in Opening Clash
In a match that tested nerves until the very end, England chased down Pakistan's total of 198 with just 14 balls to spare, but not before surviving several tense moments that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Captain Heather Knight led from the front with a crucial 53, while wicketkeeper Amy Jones provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 37 to steer her team home in the closing stages.
Pakistan's Spirited Bowling Display
The victory was far from straightforward for the tournament hosts. Pakistan's bowlers produced a disciplined performance that regularly threatened to derail England's chase.
Key moments that defined the match:
- Pakistan posted 198 all out after being put into bat
- England stumbled to 99-4 before Knight's stabilising innings
- The match swung dramatically in the final ten overs
- Jones held her nerve to secure the win with wickets in hand
Captain Knight Praises Team Resilience
"It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done," admitted Knight after the match. "These are the games you need to win in tournament cricket, and the way the team handled the pressure, particularly Amy at the end, shows the character we have in this squad."
The England skipper acknowledged the challenge posed by Pakistan's attack, noting that "they made us work for every run and never let us settle into a comfortable rhythm."
World Cup Campaign Underway
This hard-fought victory provides England with crucial early momentum in the tournament. While there will be aspects to refine, the ability to win under pressure bodes well for their title defence as they progress through the competition.
The narrow win serves as an early reminder that in World Cup cricket, no opponent can be taken lightly, and every victory must be earned through determination and skill.
