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Bangladesh fans are ecstatic after the 105-run win over Afghanistan, Afghanistan v Bangladesh, World Cup 2015, Group A, Canberra, February 18, 2015
REUTERS: If the Bangladesh celebrations after their comprehensive win over World Cup debutants Afghanistan in Canberra looked slightly over the top it was not without reason.
MashrafeMortaza’s men embarked on a victory lap at the Manuka Oval after crushing Afghanistan by 105 runs on Wednesday, suggesting the 32-run defeat in their only previous meeting last year still rankled.
The upset on home soil at Fatullah was one of the reasons Mushfiqur Rahim lost the ODI captaincy but the stumper-batsman redeemed himself with a man-of-the-match performance at the World Cup.
Mushfiqur top scored for Bangladesh with a quickfire 71 and sealed the victory by breaking the stumps to run out AftabAlam, looking overcome with anger.
Rubel Hossain took a stunning catch to dismiss Nawroz Mangal, but injured his calf while tumbling onto the ground, Afghanistan v Bangladesh, World Cup 2015, Group A, Canberra, February 18, 2015
“I think it’s not an easy win, but it’s a comprehensive win. It’s a really great feeling,” Mushfiqur, 26, told the post-match news conference betraying none of the emotions he displayed on the field.
“As you can see with that run out (celebration), it’s a really pleasing thing and, as I said, being the captain, we lost that match against them and it was a big pressure match for us,” he added.
Now the pressure is off their shoulders, Mushfiqur said, the target to do well against strong teams in the group, starting with title contenders Australia in Saturday’s match in Brisbane.
“We are looking forward to the challenge against Australia and Sri Lanka and England and also other teams in our group. I think that this confidence will boost us.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it’s not going to be impossible either. In any game, anyone can win on any day.
“Going into that match, everyone will think that Australia are going to win easily. Hopefully we can prove something. All the boys are really geared up for that match.”
