Kabul: The US embassy in Kabul seemed to get caught up in the excitement of Afghanistan's World Cup debut today, congratulating the side on victory just half-way through the Bangladesh innings. The Afghans made their World Cup bow in Canberra against the Test-status South Asians, completing another step in their fairytale rags-to-riches story.

The war-torn country has taken to cricket with a passion and millions are expected to follow the match via TV, radio and social media. With the match barely a quarter of the way through, the US embassy's official Twitter account posted a message hailing Afghanistan's "victory".

Afghanistan players celebrate taking the wicket of Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal during their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 match in Canberra on Wednesday. Pic/AFP