Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah both scored hundreds as Bangladesh kept their hopes of a Champions Trophy semi-final alive with a stunning five-wicket win over New Zealand at Cardiff yesterday.

Bangladesh, chasing a modest 266 for victory, had collapsed to 12 for three when left-hander Shakib (114) came in.  And they were not much better off when Mahmudullah (102 not out) walked out at 33 for four. But their fifth-wicket partnership of 224, Bangladesh’s highest-ever one-day international stand, transformed the match.

Shakib fell just before the finish but when Mosaddek Hossain, who earlier justified his recall with three wicket haul, edged Adam Milne for a four and the Tigers finished on 268 for five and won 16 balls to spare.

This defeat ended New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the last four. It was also another memorable Bangladesh triumph in Cardiff following their shock 2005 ODI win over Australia on this ground. But despite this sensational success they still need already-qualified England to beat Australia at Edgbaston today or hope that the match ends, as both Australia’s previous Group A fixtures have done, in a no result if they are to reach the semi-finals.