A patched-up Bangladesh fretting over the fitness of star batsman Tamim Iqbal will take on a South Africa side licking their own wounds at The Oval in their World Cup opener on Sunday.

Iqbal, who averages a shade more than 50 in ODIs on English pitches, was struck on the wrist during a net session on Friday.

Though X-rays revealed no structural damage, the heavy bruising remains a concern for a team also monitoring the health of captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who sustained a hamstring strain in the warm-up versus India last week.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has just returned from a side strain while left-arm paceman Mustafizur Rahman is nursing a calf complaint as well.

AMLA DOUBTFUL

Hashim Amla is also a serious doubt for South Africa, having been struck on the head by a vicious Jofra Archer bouncer during their opening World Cup defeat to England.

The 36-year-old’s availability will reportedly come down to a game time decision, with all-rounder David Miller – unlucky to miss out against England – waiting in the wings.

Dale Steyn, who is carrying a shoulder injury, is expected to be back for the June 5 clash with India at the Ageas Bowl.

Skipper Faf du Plessis remains unruffled in the face of injury concerns and their disappointment on opening day, having lost to England by a mammoth 104 runs.

“England were better than us in all three facets of the game,” he said. “They showed why they are such a good cricket team, and now we have to look at the league. It’s a league competition.

“For me, it’s about making sure we look at the areas that we got it wrong and just move on.”