Inspired by a concerted batting effort from the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Tamim Iqbal and Yasir Ali, Bangladesh secured a 38-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Centurion today. 

The convincing win at the SuperSport Park, that helped Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, was also the Tigers' maiden win away to South Africa in any format. Before this win, Bangladesh lost all the nine ODIs, six Tests and four T20Is played against South Africa in their backyard.  

After fifties from Shakib, Yasir, Liton and a 41-run knock from skipper Tamim saw Bangladesh post a mammoth 314 for seven -- their highest total in South Africa -- spinner Mehedi Hasan Miraz and pacer Taskin Ahmed shone with the ball to bundle out the hosts for 276 in 48.5 overs despite fifties from Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller.   

Defending a mammoth total, pacers Shoriful Islam and Taskin ensured the Tigers get a bright start with the ball in hand. With Shoriful providing the first breakthrough by removing opener Janneman Malan in the fourth over and Taskin following it up with wickets of Kyle Verreynne and Aiden Markram in the ninth over, South Africa were left reeling at 36 for three. 

But the hosts consolidated through two consecutive daunting partnerships -- an 85-run fourth-wicket stand between Van der Dussen and skipper Temba Bavuma and another quick-fire 70-run stand between Miller and Van der Dussen. In fact, at one point, South Africa were looking on course for achieving the target with Miller and Dussen smashing boundaries almost every over. 

Miller looked more ominous as he smashed eight boundaries and three maximums during his 57-ball 79-run blitz. 

It took a special effort from Yasir Ali in the outfield to stop the Miller-Dussen duo from taking the game away. Van der Dussen, well set on 86, moved to the off side and hit a Taskin delivery towards square leg in an attempt to clear the field. However, Yasir, running in from the deep, made a dive to his right and held on to a sharp catch. 

Taskin claimed his third of the day with that wicket and ended with impressive figures of three for 36 in 10 overs that featured a maiden.

That effort from Yasir shifted the momentum back towards the Tigers with Miller the only remaining thorn on their way. The left-hander featured in brief stands with the tail-enders but eventually fell to Miraz in the 46th over. Miraz, despite leaking runs, ended with figures of four for 61 in nine overs. 

Earlier, Bangladesh got off to a steady but impressive start after being asked to bat. Skipper Tamim scored 41 off 67 while Liton (50 off 67) brought up his third consecutive fifty-plus score in ODIs as the duo starred in a 95-run opening stand to lay the foundation for the big total.

Shakib, who had traveled to South Africa after much fuss, was the most impressive one with the willow. The star all-rounder mesmerised the crowd with his strokeplay and shrewd batting approach during a quick-fire 64-ball 77, featuring seven boundaries and three maximums. He also starred in a 115-run fourth-wicket stand with Yasir Ali, who notched his maiden ODI fifty. 
 

Yasir takes blinder to remove dangerous Van der Dussen

It took a special effort from Yasir Ali in the outfield to remove an ominous-looking Van der Dussen for Bangladesh to break a crucial stand in their first ODI against South Africa in Centurion today.

Van der Dussen, well set on 86, moved to the off and hit a Taskin Ahmed delivery towards square leg in an attempt to clear the field. However, Yasir, running in from the deep, makes a dive to his right and held on to a sharp catch. 

That effort from Yasir ended a dangerous 70-run stand between Dussen and David Miller. More importantly, it once again brought back Tigers in contention with an opportunity to curb the flow of runs and take the required further up. Also, it was Taskin's third scalp of the game as the bowler ended with impressive figures of three for 36 in 10 overs that featured a maiden.

Dussen's innings, however, could have ended a bit earlier. A direct hit at the non-striker's end in the 35th over was ruled as not-out with the batter's willow seemingly inside the crease. However, only a closer look into the footage later revealed that Dussen's bat was in the air when the ball had struck the stumps. 

But before that, Dussen and Miller, who brought up his fifty off 39 deliveries, started to dictate terms as they struck some lusty blows around the ground to catch up with the asking rate.  

Shoriful breaks crucial stand to put pressure back on SA

Pacer Shoriful Islam once again gave Bangladesh a much-needed breakthrough to put the pressure back on South Africa in their first ODI at the SuperSport Park in Centurion today.

Shoriful, who had given Tigers the first breakthrough early in the innings, once again came through as he removed South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma to break an ominous-looking 85-run fourth-wicket stand between Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen.

Bavuma tried to maneuver a well-directed short delivery towards the third man but only manages to get an edge back to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who made no mistake. 

Bangladesh get back in the game after a period of dominance by the hosts.   

SA consolidate after early setback

Skipper Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen regrouped to pull South Africa from a precarious position in their first ODI against Bangladesh at the SuperSport Park in Centurion today.

After being reduced to 36 for three inside nine overs, Van der Dussen and Bavuma strung together a fifty-run stand as South Africa bounced back in their chase of a daunting 315-run target. 

Van der Dussen has scored the bulk of the runs, notching his 11th ODI fifty -- reaching the mark in 57 deliveries with a maximum off Taskin Ahmed. The right-hander had upped the ante after a rather steady start as he gradually got into the groove, hitting a total of eight boundaries and a solitary maximum so far in his innings.

Meanwhile, Bavuma, who supported Dussen aptly from one end, has been more cautious in his approach.

Earlier, thanks to strikes in quick succession from Taskin and Shoriful Islam, Bangladesh were off to a flying start with the ball in hand.   

Bangladesh supporters cheering from the stands in Centurion during Tigers' first ODI against hosts South Africa today. Photo: BCB

Taskin, Shoriful corner Proteas early

Pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam gave Bangladesh a flying start with the ball as they picked up wickets in quick succession early in the innings in their first ODI against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion today.

After throwing a daunting 315-run target, Bangladesh started positively with the ball as well. Shoriful was the first to strike when he removed opener Janneman Malan in the fourth over before Taskin struck twice in the ninth over, reducing South Africa to 36 for three in 8.4 overs.  

Left-arm pacer Shoriful, who has been generating good pace and bounce off the surface, had right-hander Malan nick one back to the keeper. Mushfiqur Rahim, the man with the gloves, had to dive in front a bit to grab the ball but the experienced wicketkeeper managed to take it cleanly. Umpires, however, only confirmed the wicket after a check with the third umpire. 

Taskin joined the party soon after, angling one back in towards the right-handed batter Kyle Verreynne to have him trapped in front. Just two balls later, Taskin removed the newcomer Aiden Markram as well, thanks to a sharp catch by Mehedi Hasan Miraz at point. Markram smashed hard at a fuller delivery but could not evade Miraz's hands.