Tigers in semifinal

Bangladesh have advanced to the semifinal of the Champions Trophy for the first time in their cricketing history after England defeated Australia by 40 runs (D/L) method in Birmingham today.

Bangladesh did their part on Friday as they handed New Zealand a historic five-wicket defeat, but their fate rested on the result of today's match. The Tigers -- who finished one point ahead of Australia in the group with a win, a loss and a no-result -- needed either a no-result or an Australian defeat to advance to the semifinals. If Australia won today's match, they would have advanced with four points after witnessing two washouts and Bangladesh would be heading back home.

Instead the Tigers will be competing in the second semfinal on June 15, which will likely be played against cross-border rivals India or South Africa, depending on who wins their match tomorrow. There is also a negligible chance that Bangladesh may face the winner of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan match on Monday, but that is a far-fetched possibility which would require massive swings in run-rate.

The English did Bangladesh a huge favour and it was made possible by none other than Ben Stokes and his unbeaten 102. Stokes had come under heavy fire from Bangladesh fans during England's tour last year when he was involved in some heated exchanges with the players and even more recently in the Champions Trophy opener where he had a verbal spat with Tamim Iqbal.

However, the hatchet has well and truly been buried after his heroics ensured that Bangladesh would advance to the semis. Stokes's effort, which came after England were reduced to 35 for three, was backed up by brilliant bowling from his teammates. Adil Rashid and Mark Wood took four wickets each. 

He also got a huge helping hand from captain Eoin Morgan, who scored 87, and the pair fashioned a 157-run stand to bring England back into the game.

By the time the rain arrived the match had all but ended. England required 38 from 58 balls. They ended up winning by 40.