Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal showered Mehedi Hasan Miraz with praise after the bowler showed courage of coming back into the attack after David Miller had taken him for runs earlier in the innings during Bangladesh's 38-run win in the first ODI against South Africa at Centurion.

"You need a character like Mehedi in every team," skipper Tamim smiled from ear to ear after Mehedi's turnaround was brought up in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Miller got the better off Miraz in the spinner's first spell but Tamim noted that it was Miraz himself who came to him and asked for the ball as the death overs neared. Far from going into hiding, Miraz showed up. He picked up four wickets in his next five overs and more importantly, did not allow Miller, who struck a 57-ball 79, to get away with the game.

"After going for 40 (38) off four overs, he said, 'Give me the ball, I'll change it for you'. It is not going to work always, and I am happy with his confidence. We can win the series. We have to give ourselves every chance. They will be eager to bounce back," Tamim said.

The Bangladesh team all came together to perform as a whole. From the batters playing to the roles to the pacers then getting them early wickets and crucial breakthroughs in the middle and the fielders getting their contribution in, it was a team effort from start to finish. Mehedi, having done well with the bat as well, played the vital role in the latter part of the innings as Proteas were bolwed out for 276.

Tamim praised the team's effort. "Very proud of the way the team played. Yasir's [Ali] innings was really special. Those small things - from Mehedi with the bat, and Mahmudullah [Riyad] - everything matters. It's a big thing for us - our fast bowlers are doing well and winning games for us. But during the last two years, the fast bowlers have been bowling brilliantly," he said after Bangladesh's 38-run win.

Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who picked up the player of the match award congratulated Yasir for showing up in challenging conditions and doing what was required.

"When I spent 7-8 balls, I thought it was a good wicket. We had to score around 300. We got a good start through Litton and Tamim. We had to capitalise with the old ball. Yasir batted really well. Him and my partnership was important. Lot of credit goes to him. As soon as the shine was gone, the ball wasn't doing as much as in the first ten overs. We had to take calculated risks, and it paid off today. It was important to go after the bowlers, otherwise we would have ended with 260-270. We knew Rabada would bowl at the end, and so had to bring him early," Shakib said.