Value lies in Bangladesh entering record books against England

You don’t reach the cusp of a record such as the one Bangladesh could be about to match by accident, a notion which adds a fair chunk of value to the hosts’ odds of clinching the ODI series against England in Chittagong.

If rain doesn’t prove the ultimate party pooper, then Mashrafe Mortaza’s 6/4-rated underdogs can become just the second sub-continent side to win seven consecutive bilateral ODI series on home turf.

Given the crumbly nature of England’s top and middle order in Mirpur and Bangladesh’s contrastingly steely form in the south-eastern city, achieving this impressive accolade feels infinitely attainable.

Only once in the past eight 50-over encounters at the precipitation-threatened port venue have the Tigers succumbed to defeat.

That sole reverse came against conditions-savvy Pakistan, while the Three Lions were among the long list of victims.

A demeaning nine-wicket loss for South Africa last year at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium confirmed the venue’s growing reputation as a Bengali stronghold, especially in the white-ball format.

Since the pitch was re-laid back in 2006 the ground has also been averse to giving up high-scoring matches, with only one team batting first surpassing 300.

Jos Buttler’s 8/15 favourites will surely see that fact as a challenge should they be on total-setting duty, but for a side that regularly waltzes past that marker these days, the collapse last time out may well have sewn a few seeds of doubt.

The shenanigans which marred the latter stages of the second ODI place greater emphasis than usual on keeping cool heads for a team to emerge victorious.

In terms of the experience and know-how in the sapping humidity at Chittagong, it’s advantage to the record-chasing hosts in that respect.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing