Making their first-ever appearance at the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, Afghanistan were set an unlikely 268 to win against an in-form Bangladeshi team, and they were bowled out for 162 inside 43 overs.

Bangladesh would have been delighted to avoid an upset, which in truth never looked likely once they had posted a decent total.

Mushfiqur Rahim hit an impressive 71 off 84 balls, and he was well backed up by Shakib Al Hasan, who made 63 as they reached 267 off their 50 overs.

Despite reaching a score that would prove out of their opponents reach, Bangladesh did have a few slight scares on their way as the Afghan bowlers demonstrated an accuracy that belied their status in international cricket.

Bangladesh then reduced Afghanistan to 3-3 in their reply and although the minnows, who as late as 2008 were playing in the fifth and bottom tier of the International Cricket Council's World League, did manage a brief recovery, they never quite looked capable of causing an upset.

Mushfiqur Rahim was the pick of the Bangladeshi batsmen as he top-scored with 71 in their win over Afghanistan ©Getty Images



Mashrafe Mortaza was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers as he took 3-20, and their attack looked in good shape for the challenge ahead as they bid to qualify from a group that also includes tournament favourites Australia and the highly-fancied New Zealanders.

"We were under the pressure as the favourites and expected to win the game," Mushfiqur said.

"But in a World Cup anyone can win any game.

"Hopefully we will carry on that momentum into the next game."

The result saw Bangladesh get revenge on the shock 32-run defeat they suffered to Afghanistan at the Asia Cup in March of last year.

Despite the loss, purely participating in the tournament represents a step forward for a nation which has been plagued with war and political problems in recent years, and they have now qualified for a World Cup, as well as two World Twenty20 competitions.

The World Cup continues tomorrow as Zimbabwe take on the United Arab Emirates in Nelson.

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