It was their lowest score against Australia, less than the 134 scored at Sharjah in 1990 and the 178 scored at Chester Le Street during the 1999 World Cup.

Facing humiliation at one stage after slipping to 49 for five, Bangladesh recovered thanks to a fighting 45 from leg-spinning all-rounder Alok Kapali.

The 18-year-old had a personal best before the game of just eight, but batted maturely against the world’s most threatening bowling attack.

Kapali added 36 in 77 balls with captain Khaled Mahsud (22) and then 33 from 72 balls with one-day specialist Khaled Mahmud who scored just nine runs in 38 balls.

Mahsud was bowled around his legs by leg-spinner Shane Warne, who appeared to be increasingly frustrated by the crowd jeering him through his 10 over spell.

Then Mahmud was trapped lbw in Shane Watson’s first over as umpire Asoka de Silva referred the decision to television umpire Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan to ascertain whether the right-hander had hit the ball.

The innings then sped towards an early close with the last four wickets producing just 11 runs.

Mohammad Raffique (5) was run out, Kapali was clean bowled by Brett Lee and Monjural Islam (0) was trapped lbw, again after a referral to the television umpire.

Jason Gillespie finished with the best figures, claiming three wickets for 20 runs in his ten overs. Lee, Warne and Watson all finished with two wickets apiece.

Australia now look set to win the match and confirm a semi-final clash with hosts Sri Lanka on Sept 27.

After 25 overs they were 70 for five.

Glen McGrath started ominously for Bangladesh, swinging the ball dangerously in the first over of the innings.

But it was Jason Gillespie that broke through first, trapping Al-Sahariar (0) lbw with a full-length delivery that cut back off the seam.

Two balls later Habibul Bashar prodded nervously at a leg-cutter and Adam Gilchrist took a simple catch – Bangladesh were two down without a run on the board.

The first run came with a wide but Bangladesh could only add 10 before the next wicket fell as recalled opener Javed Omar (4) drove a catch to Brett Lee in the covers.

Australia went for the jugular, filling the slip cordon with three slips and two gullies.

Mazharul Haque (3) fell next, caught behind as he attempted to pull a quick head-high bouncer from Gillespie – Bangladesh were 13 for four in the eighth over.

The first boundary came up in the tenth over as Tushar Imran clipped through the leg-side. He followed it with a back-footed square drive for another four.

Brett Lee was brought into the bowling attack in the 13th over of the innings, taking over from the economical McGrath (6-3-9-1).

Leg-spinner Shane Warne was then introduced from the Tennis Courts End in place of Gillespie (6-1-13-3).

Spinning the ball sharply he soon bent down on one knee for one lbw unsuccessful appeal, drawing derisive hoots from the small crowd who still resent his unwillingness to tour Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup.

Next ball he was swept for a boundary. This time the crowd cheered delightedly.

Both Lee and Warne had several appeals turned down as Imran and captain Khaled Mahsud added 36 in 56 balls.

But eventually claimed a wicket as Imran mistimed a drive off the back foot and was caught by Michael Bevan at cover for 27 from 41 balls, having hit five fours.

Mashud and leg-spinning all-rounder Alok Kapali the survived to the mid-way point in the innings.

With heavy rain during the course of the night, Australia’s bowlers will no doubt be looking forward to exploit any residual moisture in the wicket.

Australian made one change to the side that won so easily against New Zealand, replacing the injured Damien Martyn with Jimmy Maher.

Martyn, the top scorer with 73, injured his hip and missed training on Wednesday. He is expected to recover in time for Australia’s semi-final clash with Sri Lanka.

Australia have beaten Bangladesh in both previous meetings, the most recent during the 1999 World Cup in England when they won by seven wickets.

Bangladesh have recalled opener Javed Omar, who is now free of a knee problem, and left out teenager Mohammed Ashraful.

He marked his Test debut with a hundred against Sri Lanka last year, but averages only 13.71 in one-day cricket.

Bangladesh have played 53 one-day internationals in total, but have only won three of them.

Australia will leave for a short break in the Maldives after the completion of the game.

Australia:

R Ponting (capt), A Gilchrist, M Hayden, M Bevan, D Lehmann, J Maher, S Watson, S Warne, J Gillespie, B Lee, G McGrath.

Bangladesh:

Khaled Mashud (captain), Al-Sahariar, Tapash Baishya, Habibul Bashar, Mazharul Haque, Tushar Imran, Manjural Islam, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mahmud, Javed Omar, Mohammad Rafique. Umpires: A de Silva (SrL) & R Tiffin (Zim).