'Confident we can win this' - SL, Bangladesh head into Day 5 with 'match open to both sides'

Heading into the final day in Galle, players from both teams can see paths to victory.

The most likely outcome feels like a draw, but as the World Test Championship points system discourages draws, home teams are especially motivated to pursue victories.

With Bangladesh currently 187 runs ahead, though needing to get ten Sri Lanka wickets to seal the result after setting a target, a Bangladesh win also seems a possibility in this match, particularly as there is dust exploding out of the surface most times a ball pitches, and the spin is beginning to become pronounced and fast.

In any case, both teams think they have a shot.

"We have every opportunity to go for the win once we have a good total on board," Nayeem Hasan, who took his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, said on day four in Galle. "A lot of things can happen on the fifth-day wicket. We have a positive mindset going into the last day."

Kamindu Mendis, who scored 87 in Sri Lanka's first innings, thinks pretty much any result is possible. "The match is open to both sides," he said. "They've only lost three wickets for now, but in the morning session if we get two or three wickets early, we will be ascendant. What we wanted in the first innings was a lead of about 150, but we didn't get there.

"But tomorrow, if we can get them out inside a session, or even in the second session, that is enough. We've been able to have a higher run rate than them, so a session-and-a-half is enough for us. As a team we have confidence that we can win this. The run rate will change as the pitch changes."

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will focus on setting a tough target first, before setting their spinners loose.

"If we can give them a good target, they will be under pressure," Nayeem said. "There's a difference between playing normal cricket and playing under pressure. They will also be worried about losing the game. We want to give a good total."