England, which just a few months ago was beating Australia in test cricket, has been a model of inconsistency at the World Cup and put in a dire performance against the unfancied co-hosts, managing just 225 and then bowling poorly.
Bangladeshi ground staff ran a lap of honour and high-ranking officials leapt with joy when young tailenders Mahmudullah Riad and Shafiul Islam put on an unbeaten 58 to steer their team to victory in the Group B game.
"It means a hell of a lot to the whole country," captain Shakib Al Hasan said. "We're very emotional about our cricket."
Just a week ago, Shakib's house was stoned when Bangladesh collapsed against the West Indies.
Bangladesh can now overtake England in the group standings if it beats the Netherlands at the same venue next week. England face a must-win game on Thursday against the West Indies to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals.
In Mohali, the West Indies started without injured opener Chris Gayle, promoting veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul up the order. He and Devon Smith put on 89 for the first wicket and it was Smith who went on to hit a composed 107 in 133 balls.
Then it fell to Kieron Pollard to inspire West Indies with a belligerent 94 and a brilliant catch to beat Ireland.
Pollard battered Ireland's bowlers for eight fours and five sixes in a 55-ball assault and then got rid of Irish danger man Kevin O'Brien with his diving catch at long-on to help West Indies to a third successive win in Group B.
It puts West Indies on the brink of a quarterfinal place.
Ireland was all out for 231 in its chase, despite half-centuries by Ed Joyce (84) and Gary Wilson (61). Joyce and Wilson shared a 91-run stand, but they were dismissed in fairly quick succession and Ireland faded away.
After a run of nine one-day games without a win, injuries to key players at the World Cup and an attack on its team bus, a revitalized West Indies has now beaten Netherlands, Bangladesh and the Irish, and is strongly favored for a place in the last eight.
"We look like a team now, we're moving forward, we're progressing and that augers well for us," captain Darren Sammy said.
In Sri Lanka, Pakistan players rallied around besieged wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal as he tries to rebuild his confidence after a disastrous performance against New Zealand.
"It's mentally tough for him (Akmal) in this situation, but we are trying to give him full support," Vice Captain Misbah-ul-Haq told reporters.
Akmal has been pilloried at home for his performance against New Zealand, when he twice dropped Ross Taylor before he had even begun to plunder a match winning innings of 131.
Team coach Waqar Younis kept Akmal behind the stumps during a three-hour training session.
Australia will make sure of its place in the quarterfinals if it beats Kenya as expected this weekend in Bangalore.
With Mike Hussey adding his considerable batting talents to the side, Australia is looking ominous once again.
Hussey, who replaced injured bowler Doug Bollinger, may return to the lineup, perhaps in place of his brother David.
"I think everyone wants to see how I'm traveling and get used to the conditions," Hussey said.
In Nagpur, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni audaciously demanded more runs from his opening batsmen, who just happen to be Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, two of the world's best batsmen.
Dhoni said he wants India to get "bigger opening partnerships so that the middle order and the lower middle-order can use its explosive power well" in coming games.
India is virtually through to the quarterfinals and takes on South Africa on Saturday.
While Dhoni is happy to reveal his selection options to an expectant Indian public, South Africa captain Graeme Smith proved far more reluctant when pressed.
Smith fenced with reporters before Saturday's game against India in Nagpur, admitting that he has "a few things up his sleeve." But he wasn't revealing what those things were.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is likely to miss Sunday's match against Canada because of a knee injury, but he is expected to return for crucial group game against Sri Lanka on March 18.
