Shakib Al Hasan crashed 92 not out off just 69 deliveries to help Bangladesh beat a strong Sri Lanka team by five wickets and reach the final of the tri-nation series.

The Bangladeshi seamers set up the victory by reducing the 1996 World Cup winners to 147 all out in just 30.3 overs, as Rubel Hossain (4-33) and Mashrafe Mortaza (3-25) wreaked the most damage.

Bangladesh stuttered in reply and collapsed to 11-3 but then skipper Mohammad Ashraful (26) and Shakib put on 91 for the fourth wicket to settle their nerves and prove that they can win against the best teams in the world when the opportunities arise. Defeat from that position would have had a damaging impact on confidence.

It was only Bangladesh’s eighth win against major Test teams in 198 one-day internationals, after their most recent against New Zealand late last year.

Shakib, who struck ten fours and two sixes, is now developing into one of the most exciting players in world cricket and although his left-arm spin has brought him most acclaim in recent times, this innings against bowlers as dangerous as Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis again exposed his huge potential as an all-rounder.  

The win ensured that Zimbabwe, the third team in the tournament, exited the competition.