Bangladesh could not have asked for a better start to their current campaign as a collective batting effort ensured the Tigers in throwing a challenging target of 315 towards hosts South Africa in the first ODI in Centurion today.

Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan and Yasir Ali Rabbi achieved half-centuries while skipper Tamim Iqbal scored 41 and strung a 95-run partnership with Liton to lay a solid foundation for his side. Despite a few hiccups in the middle, Shakib and Yasir steered the ship with a brilliant century stand to set the stage for a late onslaught. In the end, handy knocks from Mahmudullah Riyad (25), Afif Dhrubo (17), Mehedi Hasan (19) and Taskin Ahmed (7) enabled the Tigers to reach a commanding total of 314 for seven in fifty overs, their highest score in South Africa.

Shakib was exceptional during his 64-ball 77 and proved his class under pressure yet again. The left-hander made use of his bottom hand to a great effect and struck three lusty sixes and seven fours. Shakib's confidence had eased the early nerves of Yasir, who demonstrated a good array of strokes with two maximums and four boundaries to reach his fifty off 44 deliveries.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi both had decent opening spells but went for a beating later in the innings. Both pacers and Andile Phehlukwayo scalped a wicket each while Marco Jansen scalped two alongside Keshav Maharaj, who dismissed the two of the most technically solid Bangladesh batters – Liton and Mushfiqur Rahim.
 

Tigers all set for death overs after Shakib-Yasir century stand

Bangladesh, on 246 for five after 43 overs, are looking to get close to the magic 300 mark after Shakib, Yasir pulled off a century partnership in Centurion today. 

Shakib had raised the tempo with some clean big-hitting, having struck three sixes and six fours until he fell by trying to scoop a Ngidi yorker after a crucial 64-ball 77 knock. Meanwhile, Yasir Ali also reached his fifty of 43 balls, with four boundaries and two lusty sixes to his name, but he departed right after Shakib did. 

Tigers regroup following momentum loss

Shakib Al Hasan and Yasir Ali Rabbi have stitched an unbeaten fifty-run partnership and managed to get Bangladesh out of a tricky phase after the Tigers lost Mushfiqur Rahim and openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das in the span of 29 runs despite a solid 95-run opening stand.

Bangladesh are on 189 for three after 37 overs with Shakib approaching his fifty, on 45 off 47 balls. The star allrounder is well accompanied by Yasir, on 32 off 31 balls. Yasir, however, is lucky to still be at the crease as the right-hander had skied the second delivery he faced, but the ball somehow landed in between four converging fielders at fine leg.   
 
Maharaj has been among the wickets for the Proteas as he ended with figures of two wickets for 56 runs in ten overs.

Tamim, Liton depart in quick time after accelerating

Bangladesh are on 112 after 25 overs but bad news for the visitors is that the two set opening batters went back to dressing room.  

The Tigers managed to notch up their scoring rate as Liton Das and Tamim Iqbal scored almost a run-a-ball in between overs 11-20 after finding themselves on 33 after ten overs earlier.  

However, Tamim was dismissed after failing to connect a Phehlukwayo delivery which kept really low from a good length. The skipper was plumb in front, as reviews showed, and departed after a 67-ball 41. The 95-run partnership became the highest opening stand by Bangladesh in South Africa.  

Liton soon followed Tamim and got out right after he scored his fifty. Keshav Maharaj got his revenge after Liton had struck the spinner for three boundaries in a row in the 19th over. Liton's innings of 50 off 67 balls ended as he got bowled out in trying to cut a low delivery. 

Fifty comes up after Tigers approach Powerplay with caution 

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das have dealt with the new ball well and stitched an unbeaten fifty partnership to give Bangladesh a solid start.

However, the Tigers, on 54 for no loss after 16 overs, would be looking to gradually up the tempo. Skipper Tamim, who opened his account with a six off Lungi Ngidi, is batting on 27 off 51 deliveries while Liton has struck a couple of boundaries for his unbeaten 23 off 45 so far.   

Tigers asked to bat first in Centurion 

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has won the toss and asked Bangladesh to bat first in the first of the three-match ODI series at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion today.

The Tigers are fielding an unchanged side that featured against Afghanistan in Chattogram while the Proteas left Quinton De Kock out of the playing eleven.  

Playing XIs:

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (C), Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman

South Africa: Kyle Verreynne (wk), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram,  Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi