Saleh has been a revelation in the opening slot and has scored two fifties and a 40 in five matches in the new role and his electric fielding and effective off-spin has added a new dimension to the Tigers' game.

But yesterday, he was limited to watching his teammates train from the balcony of the Bangabandhu National Stadium with his swollen left shoulder heavily strapped. Saleh hurt the shoulder while fielding in the fourth ODI which Bangladesh won by 58 runs to draw level with the tourists.

"His X-ray report was not too disconcerting but the shoulder took a jerk and it is almost sure that he will not be available for the final game. It's a great loss for us because he was making an all-round contribution," said Tigers captain Habibul Bashar.

But coach Dav Whatmore wanted to wait till the last moment hoping for a dramatic recovery.

"Rajin will be given every chance to be fit tomorrow and it will be a very late decision with him. He has done very well in the series. And I have to say he is one player that we all admire. His enthusiastic appearance in the field is always an advantage for the team," said Whatmore.

But Saleh's condition was not going to dampen team morale as both the captain and the coach said that the Tigers were highly charged after fighting back from 0-2 down to make it 2-2.

"We beat them twice in a row. We worked hard for that. So, we will try and keep that momentum. It's something that I think everybody was hoping would happen that two all and a winner-take-all last game. It's going to be a great game I think," said Whatmore before adding:"We've done it the hard way. It's a great experience for both teams to play in a final of this nature with a full house. It will benefit the young players of both teams."

Bashar wanted his side to get over the myth that matches can't be won batting second. In the four games, the toss winning teams have batted first and won.

"I think our mission will be completed if we can win the last game by batting second. It will not be easy on these surfaces although my personal desire is to finish the series with full satisfaction and for that to happen, we need the middle order to fire," said Bashar.

Whatmore felt the secret of standing up to the challenge and win a first ever ODI series tomorrow lay in mental strength.

"I feel we have got the talent and the ability to do it. What will matter though is the strength of the mind while chasing a total.

"Both teams have won batting first but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will follow the same pattern tomorrow. We came back after two losses. They can also come back after two losses. I think the difference between the two teams is not that much," said Whatmore.

Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu was excited with the prospect.

"I think the final game will be very exciting. It will be played with a lot of passion and a lot of fight which is great," said the 21-year old skipper who maintained that nothing had changed despite two consecutive defeats at the hands of the home side.

"We are still positive. We've beaten them in two games in a row. They came back. It simply means that both teams are very equally matched."

Taibu admitted that it was difficult for his side to handle the spin attack of Bangladesh on responsive tracks.

"Obviously they (the spinners) are very tough to negotiate under the conditions here. Things will obviously be different when they go out side of the country. But here the wickets are prepared for them."

Taibu has been a model of courage and responsibility in the series, a role which he is loving.

"I'm a batsman and a wicketkeeper. But I am more a captain. And as a batsman my job is to score runs and I go out enjoying that."