Malan cracks Mirpur code to frustrate Tigers in tense ODI opener

England batter Dawid Malan defied the odds on a difficult pitch at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka to take his team to a three-wicket win over Bangladesh in what transpired to be a tense contest in the first ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday.
 

Chasing Bangladesh's 209, Malan, who came to the crease at the end of the very first over of the second innings, batted through the innings as he held his own from his end, remaining unbeaten on a 145-ball 114. He smashed eight fours and two sixes and hit the winning runs by pulling Najmul Hossain Shanto for a four through mid-on. 

A 51-run stand for the eighth wicket between Malan and Adil Rashid made sure England cross the finish line. Rashid provided able support with an unbeaten 29-ball 17.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam picked up three wickets, while Mehedi Hasan Miraz scalped two.

Earlier, Bangladesh were bundled out for 209 after opting to bat first.

Najmul Hossain Shanto top-scored with an 82-ball 58, his maiden half-century in the format for the Tigers.

The second ODI will take place at the same venue on Friday.