By Srian Obeyesekere

Both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will carry the 1-all deadlock of the decisive showdown to paramount must win of which of the two would mount the outweighing all-round cohesive firepower as they renew the quest for an equally important series triumph with the battle ground shifting from Colombo to the hill climes of Pallekelle tomorrow July 8 to that ultimate knockout punch to the rich trophy glitter in realising the cup euphoria of that adrenaline pumping slogan driven song of gold, ‘we are the champions’ in the great game the shortest format has enveloped modern cricket envisaging the action packed electrification.

In that scenario which of the two will cone true to wearing that proud slogan kick up of champion mettle will be a two way thrust to the crowning.

While it is a literal now or never fling for Mehidy Hazan Miraz’ Bangladesh in quest of a historic maiden series triumph in the Sri Lankan backyard, as crucial it is for Charith Asalanka’s home charges to reclaim the missing link that cost them the second ODI in the strong tonic of outplaying the visitors mainly in the spin department. Literally, the Lankans big bogey man by large will be that spin wizard Tanvir Islam who will find the easing surface at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium where turn is expected as the wicket wanes off to measure big on a track said to favour both batsmen and bowlers where the toss would be an important one to win first off.

Sri Lanka, for its part, will abhor the word lose in a one-day crusade of its cricket the country has just wriggled out of a bad past to a smoothness of quite some victories under the captaincy of Charith Asalanka which to squander would extinguish the skipper’s stated most cherished goal of moving from fourth to be among the top three in ICC ODI Team Rankings.

Thus this into the night final contest certainly assumes the significance of a high showdown where none than the best will emerge the ultimate winners