By ROD McGUIRK Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - The Afghanistan national cricket team's first appearance at the World Cup was a losing one, but its inclusion among the ranks of elite countries in the sport was a victory in itself even before a ball was bowled on Wednesday.

The Afghans got off to a promising start, and for a while the fairytale ending seemed a potential reality. But hampered by inexperience, they lost by 105 runs to Bangladesh, which has been playing in World Cup tournaments since 1999.

While they entered the tournament as underdogs, they were the sentimental favorites of many. Even the U.S. embassy in Kabul mistakenly tweeted its congratulations to the Afghan team for their win over Bangladesh in the early stages of the match, then admitted they were premature in doing so.

While the red and green of Bangladesh supporters appeared to dominate the drum-pounding stands at Canberra's Manuka Oval, the unusual spectacle of cricket fans parading the intricate black, red, green and white flags of Afghanistan, many with ornate gold edgings, also featured prominently.

The Afghan flag is still a novelty at international cricket games and the sight of it lends a sense of normality and national cohesion that the war-ravaged Central Asian country has yet to grow into.

Afghanistan's English coach Andy Moles said his team was better than what it showed Wednesday.

"I think we've moved past that," he said at a post-match media conference when asked about the excitement of his team's debut. "Honestly we're here to compete. We genuinely thought this is a game that we could win tonight."

The Afghan diaspora in Australia came from far and wide to see their country's proudest moment in a short cricket history.

The earliest Afghan immigrants came to Australia in the 19th century to drive the pioneering camel trains that helped open up the country's arid interior. But many Afghans in Australia are refugees of recent wars who live in the largest cities on the coast.

Originally posted here:

Afghans travel far and wide for World Cup cricket debut