Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan both hammered half-centuries for Bangaldesh but Dale Steyn’s 4-16 helped South Africa win the opening ODI in Potchefstroom.

South Africa batted first and racked up 283-8 as Jacques Kallis top scored with 50 in a scorecard where most batsmen got themselves in but failed to go on. Another seven batsmen passed 20 but did not progress to 40. Naeem Islam claimed 3-60 and Shakib chipped in with 2-48 from his ten overs.

Bangladesh slipped to 19-2 in reply but captain Ashraful continued his recent return to form with 73 from 78 balls and he put on a fifth-wicket partnership of 92 with Shakib, who stroked 52 from 77 deliveries to further display his growing all-round abilities.  

Fast bowler Steyn, though, had Ashraful caught behind by Mark Boucher for one of his four victims in the top seven. Steyn had figures of 8-1-16-4 to prove why he was named South Africa’s Player of the Year.

The second one-day international in the three-match series is to be played at Benoni on Sunday.