In the inaugural match of the 2023 ICC Men's World Cup, Bangladesh commenced their campaign impressively by securing a six-wicket victory over Afghanistan at Dharamsala. Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, and his team delivered an outstanding performance, limiting Afghanistan to a modest total of 156 runs in 37.2 overs before comfortably achieving the target.



A key contributor to Bangladesh's triumph was Mehidy Hasan Miraz, an accomplished all-rounder who made significant contributions with both bat and ball. He claimed three crucial wickets and made a valuable contribution of 57 runs off 73 deliveries, playing a pivotal role in maintaining Bangladesh's control throughout the match. Mehidy also benefited from Afghanistan's fielding lapses, surviving two early dropped catches. He reached his half-century in 58 balls and narrowly avoided an LBW dismissal when he was on 50, thanks to the Decision Review System (DRS). However, his innings was eventually concluded at 57(73) when Rahmat Shah took a spectacular one-handed catch at mid-off. Mehidy's partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto, who remained unbeaten on 59(83), added an impressive 97 runs for the third wicket.


Afghanistan started the match reasonably well with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz putting together a 47-run opening partnership. However, the partnership was broken by Shakib Al Hasan, who dismissed Ibrahim for 22(25) in the ninth over. Shakib went on to claim the wicket of Rahmat Shah for 18(25), causing Afghanistan's run rate to decline and resulting in further wickets falling. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was dismissed for 18(38) by Mehidy, and Mustafizur Rahman removed Gurbaz for 47(62) in the following over. Afghanistan suffered two more quick dismissals, with Shakib dismissing Najibullah Zadran for 5(13), and Taskin Ahmed removing Mohammad Nabi (6 off 12). Despite some late boundaries by Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan managed to reach a respectable total of 156. Azmatullah contributed 22 runs off 20 balls before being dismissed by Shoriful Islam.