Defending champions Bangladesh made a flying start in the AHF Cup with a 5-1 win against Kazakhstan in their Pool B opener in Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday.

The charges of Mamun Ur Rashid, however, had to work hard initially to break the Kazakhstan challenge.

Four-time champions Bangladesh took the lead through a penalty corner converted by Ashraful Islam in the 24th minute but the Central Asian side hit back on the half-hour mark, soon after resumption of the match following heavy downpour.

The Bangladesh coach made some tactical changes in the third quarter and his players grabbed control of the midfield instead of trying to use wing-play for the attacks, unlike in the first two quarters.

The men in red and green scored three goals in the third quarter with Naim Uddin restoring the lead from a rebound home before Rokibul Hasan made it 3-1 from open play and Shohanur Rahman Sabuj converted a penalty corner.

In the fourth quarter, Bangladesh kept their dominance with lion's share of possession and earned three penalty corners. However, it was Ashraful's second goal – from a penalty stroke in the penultimate minute – that wrapped up the victory.