Bangladesh hopeful of famous series win

Well, well, well. After writing off Bangladesh completely at the start of the series, darn it if they go and dominate the second match to square it at 1-1. However, one win does not make a great team and bet365 make Sri Lanka 1/14 (1.07) to win the third and final match on Saturday.

Bangladesh are 13/2 (7.50) to make it back-to-back wins but that has to be pretty unlikely given the fact that Sri Lanka are sure to have been given a tongue-lashing by their coaching staff. Expect a big reaction in the final match at Chittagong.

Bangladesh have actually won more matches away than at home, but that can in part be explained by the fact that they have travellled overseas for more series than enetrtained visiting teams - as you'd expect from a new side.

So, it comes down to a one-off match to decide the series and Bangladesh should take great heart from the way they held their nerve to chase 213 for victory in the second match. Regardless of what happens on Saturday, it bodes well for the future.

As for Saturday, in-form former captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara share favouritism in the market to be top Sri Lanka runscorer, at just 5/2 (3.50). Mahela Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga are 4/1 (5.00), while Jehan Mubarak is 9/2 (5.50) and Tillekeratne Dilshan is 15/2 (8.50).

For the home side, Mohammad Ashraful is the 7.2 (4.50) favourite after top-scoring in the second match. Captain Habibul Bashar is next at 9/2 (5.50), while Javed Omar and Aftab Ahmed are 5/1 (6.00), with Shahriar Nafees and Rajin Saleh are both 11/2 (6.50).