DHAKA: Mahmudullah Riyadh bagged the first ever century for Bangladesh in World Cup editions in the Pool A match against England at Adelaide Oval on Monday.

As the first Bangladeshi batsman, he scored 103 of 138 balls with seven boundaries and two over boundaries before going back to pavilion.

This is also Mahmudullah’s maiden One Day Internationals (ODI) hundred against England.

His century could not have been better times than the crucial tie here against England as Bangladesh seek win to qualify for quarter-finals.

He bettered the score of opener Tamim Iqbal’s 95 hit in the last match against Scotland.

The 29-year-old played the role of sheet anchor in the match as he rebuild Bangladesh innings along with Soumya Sarkar after James Anderson’s twin strike left them tottering at 8/2 in less than three overs.

He stitched a 92-run partnership with Sarkar to bail Bangladesh out of deeper troubles early on. He continued to bat on even after the departure of Sarkar and Shakib Al Hasan in quick succession.

He found company of in-form batsman Mushfiqur Rahim at the score of 99/4 to have fiery hundred run-partnerships.

Earlier, England won the toss and chose to bowl against Bangladesh in Adelaide as they surrendered to the need to change an ailing side and sought the win that was necessary to retain any chance of qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals.

BDST: 1300 HRS, MAR 9, 2015