Sri Lanka’s sensational 69-run win over India yesterday might have kept alive Bermuda’s last lingering hopes of qualifying for the next stage of this World Cup, but the result will have little impact on the way Gus Logie’s men approach their final group game at the Queen’s Park Oval tomorrow.

Above all else, Bermuda’s players want to leave this World Cup with their heads held high and after successive batterings from Sri Lanka (by 243 runs) and India (by 257 runs), tomorrow’s clash against Bangladesh is all about pride.

For Bangladesh, of course, it’s almost a matter of life and death. After their defeat of India last week, they know a victory over the tournament’s rank outsiders will be enough to earn them an unexpected berth in the Super Eight.

But that’s something that Island skipper Irving Romaine believes could work in his side’s favour.

If the young Bangladeshi side with an average age in the early 20s come at Bermuda hard, hoping to smack quick runs and snatch early wickets, then Romaine reckons they’ll be far more prone to mistakes.

That may be a sound theory. But in reality, no matter how Bangladesh approach the game, the fact remains that man for man they have Bermuda outclassed in almost every department of the game. And it’s going to take a herculean effort for Bermuda to turn the tables on a side who carved out a comfortable eight-wicket victory the last and only time they met in Antigua last month.

Coach Logie has already dropped a strong hint that he’ll ensure all of his 15 squad players get a taste of World Cup excitement. That should mean both 18-year-old pace bowler Stefan Kelly and the more seasoned Kwame Tucker, brought here as back-up wicketkeeper to Dean Minors, will be included in the starting eleven.

But Logie faces some difficult decisions about who to leave out and probably won’t make his final choice until after today’s scheduled net session at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Even if Tucker does get the nod, it’s difficult to see how Logie could discard first choice keeper Minors whose consistency with the bat allows him to be used either at the top of the order or, as was the case against India when he scored a useful 21, much lower down.

At 37, Minors has suggested tomorrow’s match could bring to an end his international career and as such the coach could be inclined to play both he and Tucker.

But that could also rule out a return for another veteran, Clay Smith, whose slump in form led to him being dropped for the game against India.

As influential as the St. George’s Cup Match star has been in Bermuda’s development over the past decade, it would be hugely disappointing for Smith if he were left out again.

Then there’s the case of Saleem Mukuddem, suspended for the India game by Bermuda Cricket Board for failing to attend a team function.

Like Smith, he’s nearing the end of his international career, and having indicated he’s leaving top Premier League side Western Stars to join Leg Trappers in the upcoming season, the suggestion could be that tomorrow’s game will also be his last at this level.

Certainly if young Kelly and Mukuddem are included, either new ball bowler Kevin Hurdle or 17-year-old Malachi Jones, or even both, would have to make way.

Whatever his final combination, Logie insists it’s a game in which there’s everything to play for.

“There are opportunities for players to make their mark in this last game. I think there’s still a lot to play for, pride is very important. We want to leave here on a high note and give Bangladesh a run for their money,” he said earlier this week.

Although Bangladesh are considered a class above Bermuda’s Associate rivals, the Island team have earned a reputation for winning tournament matches which don’t matter.

They finished their tour of South Africa in early December by hammering Holland by six wickets in their final tri-series game, mowing down the Dutch for just 91.

And then in January, they stunned Scotland in their final World Cricket League fixture in Nairobi, scoring 269 to win by five wickets.

Romaine banged an unbeaten 85 that day.

Given his form with the bat lately — nought against Sri Lanka and another duck against India — what he’d give to repeat that performance tomorrow.