CWC 2023, Match 7: England VS Bangladesh 
Played at HPCA Stadium, Himachal Pradesh, India on October 10 
England: 364/9 (David Malan 140, Joe Root 82, Jonny Bairstow 52, Jos Buttler 20, Harry Brooks 20, Mahedi Hasan 4/71, Shoriful Islam 3/75, Taskin 1/38, Shakib Al Hasan 1/52)
Bangladesh: 227 All Out in 48.2 Overs (Litton K Das 76, Mushfiqur Rahim 51. Towhid Hridoy 39, Reece Topley 4/43, Chris Woakes 2/49) 
England won by 127 Runs
Player of the Match: David Malan (140 in 107 Balls) 

Bangladesh failed miserably in its English test examination. Reigning champions England leaking its wound from a huge defeat by New Zealand in the inaugural match of CWC 2023 taught Bengal tigers a bitter lesson thrashing them by 127 runs. 

Among few mistakes Bangladesh was not also very lucky as the player of the match David Malan who alone batted Bangladesh out of the match narrowly escaped getting LBW to Shoriful Islam as the ball pitched marginally outside his leg stump. Malan also survived a confident appeal of caught behind. But apart from that flamboyant Malan toyed with Bangladesh bowling plundering the attack striking 16 fours and 5 sixes in his 107 balls 140. His 115 runs first wicket partnership with Jonny Bairstow (52) and 151 runs 2nd wicket partnership with steady Joe Root (82) virtually set the tone of the match. Bangladesh bowlers and fielders bounced back brilliantly at later stage. But that was already too late.

Chasing a skyscraper of 365 for an improbable win against very strong English attack boosted further with the inclusion was way outside Bangladesh capability. But thanks to Litton K Das playing brilliantly for his 76 and Mushfique scoring 51 Bangladesh could reach 227 before getting all out. Eventually the margin of defeat was huge 127 Runs. English Lions bounced back brilliantly. Bangladesh had yet another reality check. The fact that Bangladesh is way behind the others in the top league got nakedly exposed yet again. 

The inclusion of young spinner Mahedi Hasan was justified on a wicket having pace and bounce but whether resting hero CWC 2015 win against England Mahmudullah Riad was justified will remain debatable. Perhaps decision for letting England bat first and post a huge score should also be scrutinized. 

Bangladesh opting to bat could score 260-270 batting without stress and then try defending. England was desperate for the win yesterday and could have make mistakes. Bangladesh bowlers failed to squeeze the bounce and some movement of the wicket early on as English openers Malan and Bairstow ruthlessly punished listless Bangladesh attack. Shakib introducing him into the attack early could remove Bairstow with a great flighted delivery. Bairstow scored 52. But the real damage was done by free stroking Malan plundering Bangladesh attack. Joe Root also joined the run feast. Bangladesh was lucky to stop the flood gate when Mahedi had Malan clean bowled for 140. But by then England did the damage. 

England stood at 266 for 2 at 37.2 Overs. Buttler, Livingstone and Harry Brooks could not kick off as Bangladeshi bowlers and fielders put the squeeze by then. They also managed to remove Joe Root for 82. Mahedi (4/71) and Shoriful (3/75) did not let English score get out of proportion. Still 364 /9 was at least 70-80 too much for Bangladesh to chase. 

Any team need a solid opening partnership for chasing such a score. But unfortunately, Bangladesh drama leaving Tamim Iqbal back home again put paid. Reece Topley introduced yesterday let loose rain of terror in the Bangladesh camp. Under cooked Tanzid Tamim was blown away for a duck, Shanto immediately followed him in the same manner next ball. Shakib also was cleaned up by a brute of a delivery by Topley.  Reduced to 3/26 Bangladesh was tottering. 

In such situation Shakib could have promoted Mushfique to partner with Litton as he was looking great recovering his silky touch. Mehedy with all his brilliance is still not a top order batsman. At 4/49 Bangladesh had already lost the race. When all these were happening, Litton was looking to bat on a different planet playing gorgeous strokes one after another. His 72 runs partnership with Mushfique salvaged some pride. Mushfique scored 51. Apart from Litton and Mushfique only Towhid Hridoy scored 39. Bangladesh missed the contribution of Mahmudullah against quality bowling attack. How can Bangladesh forget his brilliant hundred that laid the foundation of historic Bangladesh win at Adelaide Oval in 2015? 
Bangladesh could reach 227 before getting all out and conceded defeat by 127 runs. Will always argue that winning the toss and batting first could be better decision. 

All is not yet lost. Bangladesh can regroup and still bounce back. It was great that Litton recovered form. But top order remains a big bother. Bangladesh should look at Hasan Mahmood and Tanzim Shakib. Do not like to suggest what should be done with opening partnership? Absence of Tamim Iqbal has made Bangladesh struggling in the Golden Triangle.

BDST: 0859 HRS, OCT 11, 2023
SMS