ICC World Cup: England beat Bangladesh by 137 runs in Dharmasala

Dawid Malan’s fourth ODI hundred of the year and a 151-run stand with Joe Root (82), ICC World Cup: England beat Bangladesh by 137 runs followed by Reece Topley’s 4-43, set up England’s commanding 137-run victory over Bangladesh in Dharamasala. Malan posted century partnerships with both Jonny Bairstow (52) and Root to lay the groundwork but England stuttered in the death overs, conceding seven wickets combined to Shoriful Islam and Mahedi Hasan to finish with 364/9. Topley however had Bangladesh on the mat in the PowerPlay itself, claiming three top-order left-handers to derail the chase early.

Put in to bat first, Malan took on Mustafizur Rahman early, hitting two sixes over deep backward square to get going as he raced to a 39-ball fifty while Bairstow got there in 54 deliveries. Shakib earned Bangladesh the much-needed breakthrough after a 115-run opening stand, getting a couple of deliveries to turn past Bairstow before pegging back his leg-stump with a straighter one.

While spin in tandem did manage to keep the scoring in check, Root, who settled in with a beautiful lofted drive straight down the ground, ended a six-over boundary drought when he ramped Mustafizur into the stands.

Malan reached his 100 off just 91 balls and then switched gears immediately. A returning Mehidy Hasan Miraz came in the firing line right away, smashed for two 76-m long sixes and as many fours in a 22-run over. Meanwhile, Root’s fifty was up in 44 balls. The pair had recovered so well to post a 100 partnership in 90 balls and the 150 came up in only another 26.

Brief scores: England 364/9 in 50 overs (Dawid Malan 140, Joe Root 82, Jonny Bairstow 52; Mahedi Hasan 4-71, Shoriful Islam 3-75) beat Bangladesh 227 all out in 48.2 overs (Litton Das 76, Mushfiqur Rahim 51; Reece Topley 4-43, Chris Woakes 2-49) by 137 runs