Malan’s fourth ODI century of 2018 propels England to 364 runs.

Despite Bangladesh’s late recovery in Dharamsala, Dawid Malan’s fourth ODI century of the year and his 151-run partnership with Joe Root (82) propelled England to a commanding 364/9 total. Malan posted century partnerships with both Jonny Bairstow (52) and Joe Root to establish a solid foundation for England, but they were ultimately limited by a mini-collapse precipitated by Shoriful Islam (3-75) and Mahedi Hasan’s late four-fer.

Bangladesh squandered a review early on Malan after Mustafizur Rahman’s caught-behind appeal is denied. He struck two sixes over deep backward square to get underway against the Bangladeshi pacer. Bairstow also contributed with a smattering of fours as England collected 61 runs during the PowerPlay. Malan reached fifty off 39 deliveries shortly thereafter, while Bairstow reached fifty off 54 deliveries in the same over as England crossed the century mark.

Shakib then provided Bangladesh with some much-needed relief, turning a couple of deliveries past Bairstow before knocking back his leg-stump with a straighter delivery. The Bangladesh captain concluded his lengthy opening spell with figures of 7-0-31-1, and the return of two offspinners brought England under control. Root, who settled in with a magnificent lofted drive direct down the ground and almost offered a return catch to Mehidy Hasan the very next delivery, ended a six-over drought without a boundary by smashing Mustafizur into the stands en route to a quick fifty-run partnership with Malan.

The English opener reached his century in 91 balls and then promptly shifted tactics. Mehidy, upon his return, was immediately in the firing line, smashing two 76-meter sixes and as many fours in a 22-run over. In 44 deliveries, Root pulled Shoriful to deep backward square for a four, bringing him to fifty. The duo had recovered so well to establish a 100-run partnership in just 90 deliveries, and the 150-run mark was reached in just 26 more.

Upon reaching 63 runs, Root became England’s highest run scorer in ODI World Cups, as records continued to fall during the second wicket stand. As the final overs approached, Shoriful and Bangladesh mounted a strong revival, removing England’s hard-hitting middle order to slow down the acceleration. As Mahedi broke the menacing stand, Malan was the first to depart, 10 runs short of 150. The English captain dispatched the second ball he encountered to the ground, but his cameo was brief. Left-arm pacer removed Buttler and Root with knuckle deliveries before removing Liam Livingstone with a cutter off the first delivery. From conceding 45 runs in his first five overs, Shoriful completed his second spell with 3 for 29.

The consistent wickets prevented England from gaining sufficient momentum for a typical death overs outburst. Mahedi also improved his stats with three late wickets – Harry Brook, Sam Curran, and Adil Rashid – to enable England to score 102 runs in the last 13 overs for eight wickets.