The Tigers, already 2-0 up in the four-match series after resounding victories by 131 runs in the first game at Bogra and by nine wickets at Khulna, will however seek to achieve two things by winning the third game in the new international venue at the outskirts of the city.

A win at Fatullah will not only give Habibul Bashar's men a decisive 3-0 lead against their East African rivals but will also guarantee them a place in the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in India next October.

The match starts at 9:30am with state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Channel i beaming live coverage from the fourth purpose-built international venue of the country after the Khulna Divisional Stadium, which made its ODI debut during the second match on March 20.

Although the series lost its competitive appeal after two huge victories for the hosts, it suddenly received a twist after the game's ruling body ICC announced that if Bangladesh are to guarantee the tenth spot in the one-day table and thus qualify for the Champions Trophy they must win at least one of their remaining two games against Kenya.

The latest revelation certainly puts additional pressure on Bangladesh, though coach Dav Whatmore played down the 'pressure factor'.

"We knew it before the series. But our focus at the moment is to win tomorrow's match and clinch the series. We have been playing good cricket so far and we just want to maintain the same standard," said a relaxed Whatmore.

Captain Bashar also echoed the sentiment of his coach.

"Qualification in the ICC Champions Trophy is not an extra pressure for us. The way we played the last two games there is hardly any scope to think of anything other than a victory. Our fielding was not up to the mark in the last match and we are keen to improve on it in the last two games," said the Bangladesh captain.

Bashar also said that he was not really bothered with the slow wicket at Fatullah.

"I think at the moment it is not a big factor whether we bat first or not. We are in great touch and I believe that we can win the match in any situation against Kenya. But I think it will be a very good batting track," said a confident Bashar.

Bangladesh announced a 13-man team with left-arm spinner Manzarul Islam making it into list of probables in place of Rajin Saleh. Although the team management is set to retain the winning combination, Manzarul stands a chance to play the role of super-sub, which will still be effective in the series despite the ICC decision to scrap it in future.

There was also good news for Kenya with their skipper and best batsman Steve Tikolo, who missed the second game due to fever, declaring himself fit for the next two matches at a venue, where he won a lot of games for Dhaka Premier League champions Old DOHS.

"I'm feeling much better and looking forward to play in the important third game. We are not thinking about ICC Champions Trophy qualification. Rather our main target is to bounce back in the series by winning the game," said Tikolo.

"I believe that we have the ability to do much better than the previous two games. Still, it is not impossible to make it 2-2 if we win the third game," he added.

Coach Roger Harper said that his young brigade was yet to play to their potential in the series.

"My young team is yet to play their best in the series and I hope they will do that tomorrow," said the former West Indies off-spinner.

TEAMS
Bangladesh (from): Habibul Bashar (captain), Khaled Mashud (vice-captain), Javed Omar, Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafee Bin Mortuza, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain and Manzarul Islam.

Kenya (from): Steve Tikolo (captain), Thomas Odoyo (vice-captain), Jimmy Kamande, Alfred Luseno,Tanmay Mishra, Hitesh Modi, Collins Obuya, David Obuya, Peter Ongondo, Kennedy Otieno, Maurice Ouma, Kalpesh Patel, Martin Suji and Tony Suj.