Gilchrist started at a blazing pace but Australia then stuttered

Australia were made to work for a four-wicket win over Bangladesh at the start of their one-day series.

Chasing a target of just 196, the Aussies put on 96 in 11 overs, Adam Gilchrist smashing 76 off 46 balls.

Spinners Abdur Razzak (3-36) and Mohammad Rafique (0-14) applied the brakes but Mike Hussey (36no) steered the tourists home with six overs left.

Habibul Bashar hit 52 after winning the toss but Brad Hogg took 3-37 and Andrew Symonds two wickets in one over.

Australia were on top early, after opening bowlers Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken took two wickets each.

But Bashar blunted their charge, putting on 54 for the sixth wicket Khaled Mashud (27).

The Tigers captain struck three fours and a six over mid-wicket off debutant spinner Dan Cullen during his 11th half-century in 80 matches

He was finally stumped by Gilchrist when he charged down to Hogg.

Tushar Imran (20) and Mashrafe bin Mortaza (one) were Hogg's other victims and Symonds finished the innings in the 47th over.

Lee took two wickets early in the innings

In reply, the tourists seemed in no mood to hang around as Gilchrist hammered nine fours and five sixes.

The Aussie vice-captain was unhappy to be given out lbw, looking to repeat a hoick off Razzak over the mid-wicket fence.

And none of his team-mates were able to match his heroics as the slow bowlers took hold.

Simon Katich went in the next over, pulling pace bowler Mortaza to midwicket and although Symonds and skipper Ricky Ponting got in they failed to capitalise.

Hussey dug in, though, finding the boundary only once - for a six off Imran - in a 61-ball stay.

Lee provided support with an unbeaten 12 from 30 deliveries.

Man of the match Gilchrist admitted Australia made life tough for themselves, saying: "We had a few irresponsible shots and cheap dismissals and that made the situation difficult for us."

Despite the defeat, Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore found some positives for the rest of the three-match series, which continues in Fatullah on Wednesday.