Shakib Al Hasan Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan will be key for Bangladesh in their ICC World Cup game against AfghanistanReuters

Bangladesh will aim for revenge from the Asia Cup loss, when they take on Afghanistan in Canberra in their Pool A ICC Cricket World Cup match on Wednesday.

The last and only time the two teams met in an ODI match, Afghanistan marched away winners, and that too quite comfortably.

It was nearly a year ago, on 1 March at the Asia Cup in Bangladesh's own backyard in Fatullah that the upset came about. Put into bat first, Afghanistan posted a decent, but certainly makeable, total of 254, and in reply, the home team were bowled out for a mere 222.

That result will certainly be on the minds of both teams when they lock horns in their World Cup opener at the Manuka Oval.

"Pressure is not on Afghanistan," said Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi. "Pressure is totally on Bangladesh."

Having said that, however, Afghanistan will go into this match, knowing that they can cause an upset, and it is that feeling that perhaps could come back and haunt them. Too much excitement and, Bangladesh could take advantage of any mistake.

"What happens is the Afghans, when we don't play our best cricket, we get a bit excited," said Afghanistan coach Andy Moles. "We want to hit fours and sixes."

While batting will be important for Afghanistan, their strength lies in their bowling, particularly the fast bowlers up front. If the Canberra pitch provides them with a bit of early pace and bounce, Bangladesh could find themselves in trouble.

"The pressure is there in the World Cup, especially in the first game," said Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha. "Any team wouldn't know what to expect. We are all a bit nervous.

"We are expecting to do well. I think it is a good thing to feel a bit of tension, whether against Afghanistan, Australia or New Zealand. It doesn't make any difference [who we start against]. It is important to win the first game. We are focusing on doing well, what we can do. If we perform to our best, we can give a good fight."

There is definitely a lot more to lose for Bangladesh in this match than their opponents, but they also have the better players, particularly in the shape Shakib al Hasan, who was conspicuous by his absence when they crashed to the Afghans in that Asia Cup match last year.

If Shakib lights up this World Cup, then Bangladesh will inevitably do well, such is the importance of the all-rounder, who has plenty of experience playing in Australian conditions, having suited for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League this season.

"We have some world-class players. We have the No. 1 all-rounder in all formats. I am also looking forward to the young players and see what they do for us in this big stage.

"It is a first time in Australia for many of our players and although some of them have played here, it wasn't in the major venues. We are looking forward to doing well here.

"I am expecting Shakib to perform and take a lead role. I think you have seen him with Melbourne Renegades. He's an explosive batter who can get in and control the game. He is a very clever bowler."

Confirmed lineups: Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Soumya Sarkar, Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed.

Afghanistan: Afsar Zazai (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Nawroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Najibullah Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf, Aftab Alam, Shapoor Zadran, Hamid Hassan.

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The World Cup game is scheduled for a 2.30 pm local time (9 am IST, 3.30 am GMT, 10.30 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD1 and Star Sports HD3. Viewers in India can also catch the match via free live streaming online on Starsports.com or via the paid option of Starsports Live Pro.

People watching the match in Pakistan can catch the game live on PTV and Ten Sports, with the options to live stream on PTV Live and Ten Sports Live. Bangladesh audience can catch the game live on Bangladesh TV and Star Sports or live stream the action on Starsports.com.

Watch Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in their World Cup game live in Australia on Channel 9 and Fox Sports, while the option to live stream the game is on Cricket Australia LiveCricket Australia Live App or Foxtel. Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports 2 or via live streaming on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports.

Viewers in the USA can watch the game on ESPN,while the game can also be live streamed on Watch ESPN. Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can watch the World Cup match live on OSN with the option to live stream on OSN Play.