A scintillating innings from Adam Gilchrist has paved the way for Australia's four-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first one-day international at Chittagong.
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After Gilchrist's boundary-laden 76 in just 46 balls, the tourists were always heading for victory despite left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak's spell of 3-36 causing a mid-innings wobble.
Mohammad Rafique also weighed in with a frugal 0-14 off 10 overs - the third most economical one-day figures against Australia - to cause some nerves in the tourists' camp.
Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Brad Hogg all failed to pass 20 following Gilchrist's dismissal with the Aussies cruising at 0-96.
But the reliable Mike Hussey carried them home with a composed 36 not out from 61 balls to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series ahead of the second match on Wednesday in Dhaka.
Chasing Bangladesh's meagre 196 all out, the Australians had chalked off almost half the total after 10 overs as Gilchrist went into overdrive, smashing the pacemen to all corners.
After averaging just 28 in the recent five-match series in South Africa, Gilchrist rekindled the explosive form which has seen him revered in the shorter format of the game.
The 34-year-old reached 50 in only 28 balls and looked as though he was going to race to his third rapid century of his marathon summer.
Earlier this season, Gilchrist reached 100 in just 73 balls in the second Super Series ODI in October before beating his own record with a 67-ball ton in February's VB series final against Sri Lanka.
But the wicketkeeper, who had been dropped by opening bowler Syed Rasel in the deep on 39, was trapped in front by Razzak after blasting nine fours and five sixes.
His dismissal triggered a collapse as Australia faltered from 0-96 to 4-133 following the introduction of Razzak, who claimed Symonds for a duck and Ponting (14) to complete a hat-trick of successful lbw appeals.
Mashrafe Mortaza snared Katich (18) to hand the paceman a brief smile following earlier punishment at the hands of Gilchrist, and Clarke (16) was unnecessarily run out chasing a quick single despite needing just two runs per over for victory.
Bangladesh's total of 196 from 47 overs was never enough despite Bashar top-scoring with a steady 52 from 93 balls - his maiden one-day half-century against the Australians.
Aftab Ahmed (30) and Khaled Mashud (27) offered the skipper some assistance but it was a day when some rash strokemaking again contributed to Bangladesh's downfall.
Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee struck early before a three-wicket haul from Hogg and two wickets in Symonds' first over polished off the Tigers' late resistance.
Symonds (2-6) bowled just one over with Hogg returning 3-38 off 10 overs and Bracken (2-30) and Lee (2-34) chipping in with valuable breakthroughs early on.
