Scotland's hopes of winning their "World Cup final" were dashed by the cruellest of luck in Edinburgh yesterday as they lost a wildly-fluctuating encounter to fellow tournament debutants Bangladesh by 22 runs.

The Scots, chasing Bangladesh's 185 for nine, looked to be closing in on their first international one-day success as all-rounder Gavin Hamilton cracked 63 off 72 balls during a 55-run partnership with Alec Davies for the seventh wicket.

But, setting himself up for a final victory charge, he was run out in the 42nd over.

Bowler Manjural Islam got a faint touch onto a straight drive by Davies and the ball ran into the stumps at the non-striker's end with Hamilton an inch short.

That made it 138 for seven and Scotland's hopes departed with their star player.

Bangladesh's hero was all-rounder Minhazul Abedin, who won the man-of-the-match award for scoring 68 not out. Amazingly, he had only been included in Bangladesh's squad after a public outcry when the selectors initially left him out.

Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam said: "This was so important for Bangladeshi cricket - we played badly in the previous games but got it right today."

Scottish counterpart George Salmond responded: "It could have been a fairytale for us but all credit to Bangladesh.

"We can't expect Gavin to get us out of the mire all of the time. He needs some of us to give him more support."

Both sides, with little chance of upsetting the Test nations in group B, had declared before the game that they were treating this game as their own tournament final.

Instead, both looked more intent on trying to lose the game.

Bangladesh, put in, lost their first five wickets for 26. The Scots did not do too much better as they were reduced to five for 49 in response.

Meanwhile, wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs took five catches and scored a career-best 80 not out as the West Indies swept to a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Southampton. Skipper Brian Lara contributed 36 off 54 balls as West Indies cantered to victory with 5.4 overs to spare.

The victory, set up by the West Indian bowlers who shot out the Kiwis for their lowest World Cup score of 156, intensifies the battle in group B for the three places in the second round.

New Zealand and the West Indies now have four points, two behind group leaders Pakistan, while pre-tournament favourites Australia have two points with just two games remaining.

New Zealand's previous World Cup low came in the inaugural tournament in 1975 when they made 158 against the West Indies.

The West Indies play Scotland on Thursday, before taking on Australia on Sunday. The Kiwis clash with Pakistan on Friday and Scotland next Monday.