The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
And as we sign off for the moment, we leave you with this rather humorous incident from when Mujeeb Ur Rahman walked out to bat earlier in the day. Of course, there's another game going on as we speak with South Africa's batters dominating the Sri Lankan bowlers in Delhi. Head over here to follow our coverage of that contest right here on Sportskeeda while also keeping yourselves updated with further news and action from the World Cup on this very platform in the coming days. For the moment, this is the trio of Pragadeesh, Arya and Sooryanarayanan taking your leave. Thank you so much for joining us. Take care and see you soon - buh-bye for now!
A happy, smiling Shakib Al Hasan and why not - after a lot of noise leading into this tournament, he couldn't have hoped for a better start to his team's World Cup campaign. Sterner tests await, starting with the game against England at this very venue on Tuesday (October 10). As for Afghanistan, this was a game to forget. Their net run-rate has taken a real beating too but they have to tighten up their loose ends with the bat and roar back as they head to the capital city of New Delhi to take on India on Wednesday (October 11). Another tough challenge awaits them and it remains to be seen if they can ace it.
Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh captain): Very happy the way we played. We didn't start the way we wanted but the way we came back was impressive. Everyone believed that once we get one wicket we can always pick up two or three wickets. We never let that pressure go away. Credit goes to the bowlers. It was a pressure game, the first match - very happy with the way we fielded. We didn't want to make any excuse because the ground (outfield) was not ideal. If we want to be a very good team, these things matter. Happy with the way I contributed with the ball. All of my bowlers chipped in. We've got three-four very good fast-bowlers who can contribute at any time. It's a long tournament and I'm sure our fast-bowlers will contribute even more. (On Mehidy) I think he's one of our bigger players. Him and Shanto are our in-form players and are always confident in the dressing room. They always want to do well.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan captain): We had a good start but after the third wicket, our shot selection wasn't good. Their bowlers also bowled tight though so I will give credit to them for that. I think we fought well but the score wasn't enough. Looking forward to the next game. We should learn from our mistakes. We should not do it again. This was the first game, it's gone now - we have to think about England. We will learn from this game.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Player of the Match) - It's a great moment for me. I have done a lot of hard work in the past. The team management believed in me. The captain told me if you bowl in the right areas, you can get a wicket. Credit to the captain for giving me the confidence. I tried to bat according to my strengths. It's a great moment for me if I play in the top-order. The team management believed in my batting
Match Summary: Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets.
If there ever was a way to kickstart your World Cup campaign and show that you mean business, it ought to be much like what Bangladesh have displayed today. They have thoroughly dominated Afghanistan by a thumping margin to commence their journey here in India in style. It was set up by the bowlers, led by skipper Shakib Al Hasan, as a combination of excellent bowling and some very ordinary batting from the Afghans resulted in the Tigers having to chase a mere 157.
Things didn't start well however, with Tanzid Hasan caught short by Najibullah Zadran's sharp throw after a mix-up in the middle. Litton Das couldn't make a mark himself as he played onto his stumps - something that was a pattern throughout this contest. Afghanistan were in with a sniff but once again, had no answer to Najmul Hossain Shanto's defiance and rich form. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was sent in ahead of him at number 3 and the duo stitched together a steady partnership, milking the singles along the way to keep the Afghan spinners at bay.
The target was never an alarming one and it needed just one partnership to put Bangladesh on course. That's exactly what transpired as the overcast skies quite fittingly saw the sun set on Afghanistan's chances. There was not much that even Rashid Khan could do with Shanto and Mehidy continuing to do it easy. Mehidy notched up a solid half-century although he was given a reprieve when he was adjudged LBW, only for the TV umpire to reckon that there was some bat involved.
It wasn't as though that contentious decision would have made too much of a difference, however. Rahmat Shah pulled off a one-handed specky to send Mehidy back but in the meantime, Shanto pressed the accelerator himself to pick up pace and register his fourth successive ODI fifty. Shakib couldn't finish the job but Shanto sure did, letting out a huge roar in the process as Bangladesh completed a thoroughly professional performance. Stick around for the presentation...
And that is that! Shanto seals it with a dominant shot and that misfield, as Nasser Hussain mentions on air, sums up Afghanistan's troubles today. Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets with 92 deliveries to spare!
34.4 Naveen-ul-Haq to Najmul Hossain Shanto, FOUR! A commanding win for Bangladesh to kick off their World Cup campaign in style. Pitched up outside off, Shanto drives it hard towards mid-off. The fielder gets a hand to it but couldn't bend low. The ball nutmegs him and races away to the fence
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Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
![[Watch] Mujeeb Ur Rahman forgets his abdomen guard as he walks out to bat in BAN vs AFG at 2023 World Cup](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/10/79201-16966745180701-1920.jpg?w=700)
