"Who won the toss and who is batting?" asked Mohammad Ashraful from the team bus that has been the only mode of transport for the Tigers over the last eight weeks.

"I think England stand a better chance to win the final," remarked the exciting right-hander after being informed that the home side won the toss and elected to field in overcast condition.

Although the weather has not at all been inspiring in London for the last few days, the bustling British capital attired a festive look to celebrate a grand Saturday. While Lord's offered a grand final between England with their fierce rivals Australia, away at Wimbledon the Championships entered into its final day. But the biggest gathering was taking place at Hyde Park for the Live 8 concert. London was so crowded on that day that if you had

just landed there and were looking for a modest hotel even at a high price you were unlikely to get one.

Although it was the weekend, the subways were as busy as on weekdays with people scampering into tube stations towards their desired destination.

It was understandable where they were heading by the look of their attire. Those sporting the blue and red England one-day shirt were heading towards St John's Wood, the nearest tube station to reach Lord's. There was a Bangladeshi among the crowd, and he was taking his chance to buy a ticket for the final. He eventually got a ticket for the final from a ticket tout after a successful bargain.

"The face value of the ticket was 55 pounds. But I bought it for 50," said Zakaria, a producer on tour in Europe.