ODI World Cup 2023: Dawid Malan, Reece Topley Shine As England Crush Bangladesh

With a 137-run thumping of Bangladesh on Tuesday, Dawid Malan struck a career-high 140 runs and Reece Topley wrecked havoc with the ball, revitalising England's 50-over World Cup championship campaign.

Following a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in the opening match of the competition, England compiled 364-9 thanks to a dominant top order led by Malan, who partnered with Joe Root (82) and Jonny Bairstow (52).

Left-arm fast Topley (4-43), playing in his debut tournament encounter, destroyed Bangladesh's top order in the opening six overs, paving the way for an easy win for England.

With two wickets down in 48.2 overs, Litton Das (76) and Mushfiqur Rahim (51) fought back to keep Bangladesh's total to 227.

Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh, won the toss, but Buttler didn't need to feel bad because he got what he wanted for England: to bat first.

Bangladesh had a strong start, but it soon became apparent that the England openers were merely biding their time at the stunning location with a snow-capped mountain range in the background.

In route to a 39-ball fifty, Malan smashed Mustafizur Rahman for two sixes, while Bairstow, playing in his 100th ODI, was unable to be denied a half-century either.

Bangladesh did not find any relief even after Bairstow left for 52, his leg stumps pushed back by a fizzing Shakib delivery.

Along with Root (whose 82 came after his 77 against New Zealand in the tournament opener), Malan amassed 151 runs.

Root showcased his current fixation on eccentric shots by reverse-sweeping Shakib for a four and scooping a Mustafizur ball from outside the off-stump and depositing it in the stands over fine leg.

At one point, 400 seemed well within England's target when Malan reached his century with a single off Shakib.The left-hander lost his off-stump to spinner Mahedi Hasan (4-71) after smashing five sixes and sixteen fours in his 107-ball barrage.

Root and Liam Livingstone were bowled by Shoriful Islam (3-75) in consecutive deliveries, but Sam Curran stopped him from completing a hat-trick.Although Root did not reach his century, he surpassed Graham Gooch to become England's all-time top run scorer in the World Cup.

The bowlers from Bangladesh stopped England's late surge by taking six wickets and giving up just 66 runs in the final ten overs.There was still a mountain for them to climb, and their pursuit started with two dramatic overs.

Litton hit Chris Woakes three times in a row in the opening over, then Topley removed Tanzid Hassan and Najmul Hossain Shanto with consecutive deliveries in the following over.

While the hat trick failed to materialise, Topley dealt Shakib a mortal blow in his subsequent over, reducing Bangladesh to 26-3.Although Litton and Mushfiqur Rahim gave it their all and their tailender dragged the game, they were well short of the goal.