Proteas pose another threat for Tigers

Bangladesh will look forward to put behind the disastrous start to the Cricket World Cup Super Eights when they take on title chasers South Africa in Guyana on Saturday as the competition resumes after a two-day break.

Habibul Bashar's men, however, have to climb the hill to regain confidence after being battered by holders Australia and New Zealand although they get four days' rest before taking on the current top-ranked side of the world.

South Africa have four points after wins against Sri Lanka and Ireland while the winless Tigers are at the base of the table.

Although coach Dav Whatmore's desire to get the India job could be in the back of their minds, captain Habibul Bashar said that his boys are only focusing on the game.

"We are not thinking anything rather than our performance in the coming games. We didn’t get any official version on the issue. We lost our first two Super Eights matches badly and the boys' confidence is little bit dented. Our only objective is to play good cricket against the top ranked side (South Africa)," Bashar told on Friday.

Bangladesh, who lost their first match against unbeaten Australia by ten wickets and suffered a nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand, failed to keep up their first-round momentum against the mighty opponents mainly due to poor batting and must gear up in this area if they want to push their opponents.

The Tigers, who have never beaten the Proteas in seven meetings, retained the same 12 from the last game, keeping out-of-form opening batsman and vice-captain Shahriar Nafees in the bench.

The match in Guyana, where things looked clearer after two days of rain and grey skies, will be Bangladesh's only game at this venue before they switch to Barbados for the last three matches.

Meanwhile Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 approved Farhad Reza as the replacement player for Tapash Baishya in Bangladesh’s squad for the tournament.

Farhad Reza replaces Tapash Baishya after medical reports were received indicating that Tapash suffered ligament damage to his right ankle during his side’s defeat to Australia in Antigua last Saturday. The reports indicate the player will require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation before he regains full fitness.

Farhad Reza is the eighth replacement player to be called up for the tournament so far.

Bangladesh (12): Habibul Bashar (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Javed Omer, Aftab Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammed Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain.