CWC 2023: Dawid Malan Smashes World Cup Ton As England Take Charge Against Bangladesh

CWC 2023: Dawid Malan Smashes World Cup Ton As England Take Charge Against Bangladesh (Image Source: Google)

Dawid Malan bludgeoned 140 as defending champions England piled up 364-9 in their second World Cup match against Bangladesh in Dharamsala on Tuesday. Jos Buttler's men showed no signs of a hangover after the nine-wicket mauling they suffered at the hands of New Zealand in their tournament opener.

But they will be disappointed they did not score even more after looking set for a mammoth total with 10 overs to go as intelligent Bangladesh bowling and good catching slowed their charge.

In-form Malan belted five sixes and 16 fours in his career-best one-day international score and Joe Root made 82, becoming England's all-time top-scorer at World Cups.

England made a steady start at the picturesque Himalayan ground after being asked to bat, with left-hander Malan outscoring the powerful Bairstow.

The opening batsmen were initially cautious against the pace bowling of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed but soon settled into a rhythm and rarely looked troubled.

Malan, who has displaced Jason Roy at the top of the order, cruised to his fifty off 39 balls with a mixture of timing and power.

Bairstow brought up his half-century in 54 balls in his 100th one-day international but was bowled by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan for 52, to leave England 115-1 in the 18th over.

That breakthrough brought Root to the wicket and the former England Test captain signalled his intent with a ramp shot for six in the 27th over.

Malan, 36, brought up a stylish century in the 32nd over, reaching the landmark off 91 balls.

He then cut loose in devastating fashion, smashing 20 runs off just four balls during a Mehidy Hasan Miraz over before Root brought up his fifty.

Bangladesh finally got a breakthrough they desperately needed when off-spinner Mahedi Hasan bowled Malan, the batsman missing a slower ball when attempting a bit hit on the leg side.

Buttler promoted himself up the order and showed his intent immediately -- smashing his second ball for six, even though it was mistimed.

But the skipper departed for 20 off 10 balls, dragging a Shoriful Islam delivery onto his stumps.

Root holed out for 82, top-edging a Shoriful ball that was caught by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Liam Livingstone had his off-stump flattened first ball.

Harry Brook flickered briefly before finding Liton Das at long off to give Mahedi his second wicket.

Bangladesh had done well to wrestle back some momentum and Sam Curran was next to go, caught on the boundary off the bowling of Mahedi.

Wickets kept tumbling but a few late blows meant England set Bangladesh a daunting 365 to win in their 50 overs and will be confident they can defend that total.

Brief Scores: England 364-9 (D. Malan 140, J. Root 82, J. Bairstow 52; Mahedi Hasan 4-71) v Bangladesh