As they gear up for the Twenty20 tri-series title clash against a formidable India, skipper Shakib Al Hasan says Bangladesh have "momentum" after their spectacular win over the hosts.
Bangladesh eked out a thrilling two-wicket win over Sri lanka in a nail-biting virtual semifinal on Friday to book a place in the final.
"India are a very good side but we have the momentum, so hopefully we can continue the performance," said Shakib.
Talking about the semifinal, Shakib said: "You can't expect more than that in a T20 game. There was everything. Emotions, drama, everything. We are lucky to be on the winning side.
"Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera batted very well, got themselves into a winning position. I had only one hit before I came into the game, so I knew I wasn't 100%. It was important to rotate the strike and give it to Mahmudullah. This is one of our best innings in the last five overs."
Mahmudullah, who played a match-winning 18-ball 43, studded with three boundaries and two sixes to win the Player of the Match, described his knock as one of his "best innings".
"When Shakib came into the team, that was a big boost. My plan was to strike the ball as hard as I can. To see the ball properly and try to hit accordingly. I was quite nervous (in the last few overs)," he said.
"When I and Shakib were there, I was at ease but Shakib's wicket put pressure on me. Other guys came up to me and believed that we'll do it."
Sri lanka skipper Thisara Perera was disappointed to not able to defend 160, which he felt as a reasonable target.
"Very tough game. Really disappointed. I have to say something about our crowd, thanks for everything. I'm sorry about not making it to the final," he said.
"I sometimes take some time for my batting, I can do something only after that (what went wrong). 160 is a reasonable target. last few series, we did well. Really good outcome from our juniors."
‘Need to remain calm’
Captain Shakib Al Hasan has vowed to keep his emotions under control after heated altercations and ugly scenes marred Bangladesh's dramatic win over Sri lanka in a must-win game of the Nidahas Twenty20 Tri-Series.
In the virtual semi-final on Friday, Bangladesh defeated hosts Sri lanka by two wickets to set-up a clash against India in Sunday's final.
But the thrilling game was marred by ugly scenes after the on-field umpires had refused to award a no-ball when Isuru Udana delivered a second short-pitched delivery with Sri lanka needing 12 runs of the final over at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Furious at the decision, an agitated Shakib came down to the boundary and waved at his batsmen to return to the pavilion before relenting as Bangladesh registered a momentous win.
"I wasn't calling them back. I was telling them to play. You can describe it both ways. It depends on how you see it," Shakib said at the post-match press conference.
"Many things happened that shouldn't have happened. I need to remain calm. I was overjoyed. Excitement was there. I must know how to react next time. I will be careful," he added.
Shakib said it was a one-off incident where emotions got the better of both the teams.
"What happens in the field should never spill over off the field. To be honest, we are all good friends. We see each other in the Bangladesh Premier league and Dhaka Premier league," he said.
"The two boards have great relations. We help each other a lot. Just like I would want my team to win at all cost, they would have the same feeling. I am sure that both teams will never let it go off the field."
Shakib and Nurul fined
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan was on Saturday fined 25 per cent of his match fees and handed a demerit point for "remonstrating" umpires' decision during their Twenty20 match against Sri lanka, here on Friday.
Reserve player Nurul Hasan was also fined 25 per cent of his match fees and given one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in a separate incident.
Shakib was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game", while Nurul was found guilty of violating Article 2.1.2, which deals with "conduct that brings the game into disrepute".
The incident involving Shakib happened the in 20th over of the Bangladesh innings when he came to the edge of the boundary and gestured at his batsmen to come off the field while remonstrating against an umpiring decision.
As regards Nurul, the reserve player argued and pointed finger at Sri lanka captain Thisara Perera which led to unruly public behaviour after he was sent by the team on to the field of play to pass on a message to the two batsmen.