Mehidy stars as Bangladesh overwhelm Afghanistan in Cricket World Cup

Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with both bat and ball as Bangladesh launched their World Cup campaign with a dominant six-wicket win over Afghanistan in Dharamsala on Saturday.

AS IT HAPPENED | Bangladesh v Afghanistan 

The off-spinner took 3-25 as Afghanistan were bowled out for just 156.

Mehidy then made 57 after being dropped twice, with Nojmul Hossain Shanto finishing on 59 not out as Bangladesh won with more than 15 overs to spare.

This match also saw Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan inflict more World Cup damage on Afghanistan, the left-arm spinner taking 3-30 while his bowling changes yielded wickets.

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Afghanistan, relatively well-placed at 47-1 and 112-2 after being sent into bat by Shakib, lost their last eight wickets for 44 runs.

Shakib, who in the corresponding World Cup fixture four years ago took 5-29 in Bangladesh's 62-run win, made the initial breakthrough Saturday when he had Ibrahim Zadran caught on the sweep.

Several Afghanistan batsmen gave their wickets away, with only opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (47) offering much resistance.

But Gurbaz, who made 145 in a one-day international against Bangladesh in July, fell when, seemingly frustrated at the lack of support from the other end, he holed out off paceman Mustafizur Rahman to Tanzid Hasan in the covers.

Afghanistan's plight was summed up when tailender Mujeeb Ur Rahman walked out to bat without wearing a box or athletic protector.

Bangladesh stumbled early on in their chase.

Tanzid Hasan was run out by Najibullah Zadran and the Tigers were 27-2 when Liton Das played on to paceman Fazalhaq Farooqi.

But Afghanistan, who needed to take every chance when defending such a low total, then saw