Published February 18, 2015

Supporters of the Afghanistan team cheer their team ahead of their Cricket World Cup Pool A match against Bangladesh in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)(The Associated Press)

Afghanistan bowler Hassan Hamid, centre, watches as Bangladesh batsmen Iqbal Tamim, left, and Haque Anamul score runs during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)(The Associated Press)

Bangladesh batsman Iqbal Tamim dives to make his ground during their Cricket World Cup Pool A match against Afghanistan in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)(The Associated Press)

CANBERRA, Australia 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 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.

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.

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Afghans travel far and wide to see war-torn nation debut in World Cup cricket in Australia