Tigers ready for SA, says Shakib

Bangladesh will not be easily pushed aside when they take on powerful South Africa in a must-win World Cup match Saturday, skipper Shakib Al Hasan said, reports AFP. "We go into the match after two consecutive wins against England and the Netherlands, so the confidence and morale of the team is high," Shakib said ahead of the day match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. "If we stick to our plans and execute them well, I think we have a very good chance to beat South Africa. "They are obviously a very strong team, but we won't be found wanting." England's dramatic win over the West Indies in Chennai Thursday ruined Bangladesh's hopes of easing into the knockout rounds without having to contend with South Africa's firepower. They now face a make-or-break battle to determine their future in the tournament in front of 25,000 fanatical supporters inside the stadium in Dhaka and millions outside it. South Africa are the only team in Group B to have qualified for the quarter-finals, with four others -- India, West Indies, Bangladesh and England -- vying for the remaining three berths over the weekend. Bangladesh are tied with the West Indies on six points, India and England are on seven each and group leaders South Africa are on eight. If Bangladesh lose to South Africa, their poor net run-rate (currently -0.765) will almost certainly lead to their exit, unless India defeat the West Indies by a huge margin in Chennai Sunday. Shakib appeared irritated when asked repeatedly by demanding Bangladeshi reporters about his strategy for Saturday's game. "The plan is simple," he said. "If we bat first we must put up a good score and then restrict them for a lower total. "If we field first, we will have to score one run more than what they put up." Unlike millions of Bangladeshi supporters, who stayed up late Thursday night cheering for the West Indies against England, Shakib said he preferred to watch a Bollywood movie. "I watched (Chris) Gayle's batting and then switched to the movie," he said. "As far as I am concerned we have to win tomorrow if we want to qualify." Shakib said it was not easy to get huge totals on Bangladeshi wickets. "So far only (Virender) Sehwag and (Virat) Kohli have got hundreds in the five matches we have played," the captain said.