Cricket-Bangladesh celebrate World Cup success

DHAKA, March 26 (Reuters) - The Bangladesh cricket team's entry into the second round of the World Cup sparked wild celebrations around the country on Monday.

Coinciding with the 36th anniversary of their independence, flag-waving students from Dhaka University danced and sang in jubilation as others chanted "Tigers tigers Bangladesh Bangladesh."

Bangladesh beat Bermuda by seven wickets on Sunday in Trinidad to reach the second phase for the first time after they finished second in Group B behind Sri Lanka. Their win over debutants Bermuda knocked out India from the competition.

The celebrations even outstripped last week's festivities when thousands of cricket fans poured on to the streets following a five-wicket victory over cricketing giants India.

Saqibul Hasan's winning boundary against Bermuda was greeted with a universal roar around the country.

"It is a great success and we deserve it," Dhaka University student Kawsar Khan said while revelling in the campus.

"Now we can hope for a berth in semi-finals," added Noman Mohammad.

The joyful scenes continued unabated, despite a ban on marches and gatherings that was imposed in January following political violence that killed 45 people.

"We also like to share the joy with the jubilant crowd," said police officer Saiful Islam.