Bangladesh all-rounder Fahima Khatun remained upbeat despite her side’s narrow four-wicket defeat to England in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, insisting that the team firmly believes it can compete with any side in the tournament.

Reflecting on the loss at the ACA Stadium here, Fahima said Bangladesh were just one wicket away from pulling off a major upset against the tournament heavyweights. Former England skipper Heather Knight rescued her team from a middle-order collapse to get her team over the line and maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament.

“We were trying hard to get Heather Knight’s wicket because if we had got her out at that stage, things would have been much better,” Fahima said. Knight anchored the chase with a composed unbeaten 79 off 111 balls, guiding her side to victory after Fahima & Co left them in trouble at 78 for five.

“We started (the World Cup) well and we started our journey with a good win,” she said.

“So, in that sense, we were very much confident. Today … we fell short by 20-30 runs. (But) If we can maintain this flow, then (every) team will not be able to take us easily. We had a preparation that we’re going to play the World Cup not only to play good cricket but we will go to win there, no matter who our opponent is. We won’t see anyone superior; we’ll just go according to our strength and try to play well on that particular day. Ultimately, the result will come toward us,” she added.

Fahima was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 16 from her 10 overs. She and her teammates believed their total of 178 was defendable, especially after reducing England to five down inside 23 overs.

“We have already said that we had a winning score, we will defend that because we were very much confident about our bowling attack and the same was said from our team management; they were very confident about it,” Fahima said.

However, lower-order contributions from Alice Capsey (20 off 34) and Charlie Dean (27 not out off 56) took the game away from Bangladesh, as England completed the chase with four overs to spare.

“That inspired us a lot. So, we were very confident. When Charlie Dean came to the wicket, then I would give her credit; she played really well. From there, we also gave some scoring balls, which they converted to boundaries. So, I think, there was a little bit of pressure at that stage, but still, when I was talking with the captain and my other teammates, when they were only 16 runs behind, I kept saying that if we can bowl four miraculous balls, then the match is ours,” Fahima said.

“Because anything can happen anytime, cricket is actually unpredictable. So, if we could bowl four good wicket-taking balls, then the match could turn in our favour. I think we had a chance till the last run.”

Bangladesh also missed the services of their young pace spearhead Marufa Akter, who bowled only five overs before leaving the field with cramps.

“She was feeling some cramping issues,” Fahima said. “I think she’s better now. She’s doing well. I think it was one of the reasons for our loss. If we could let her bowl two (or) three more overs, then it would be more effective. We missed her a lot.”

Bangladesh, currently sitting fourth on the points table with one win and one loss, will next face New Zealand at the same venue on Friday, a match Fahima described as another opportunity to prove their growing credentials on the world stage.