Chasing 284 for victory, Bangladesh were all out for 222 in the 45th over.
Steyn made the important early breakthrough in his second over, when Hashim Amla took a very good running catch to dismiss Imrul Kayes for one. He struck again in the seventh over when he trapped Zunaeed Siddique leg before wicket for three. Tamim Iqbal and the captain, Mohammad Ashraful, shared a third wicket partnership of 54.
Ashraful flayed Johann Louw, smashing him for four boundaries in a single over, forcing Johan Botha to take Louw off. The partnership was ended by some excellent fieldwork, when Amla, Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel combined to run Tamim out for 24. Bangladesh lost momentum after Timim’s dismissal. Morne Morkel, who bowled three four wides in his first over, compensated by bowling Mushfiqur Rahim for one. Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan consolidated and began to look dangerous, with a fifth wicket partnership of 92, before Steyn was brought back on to bowl in the 35th over.
At that stage, Bangladesh were marginally ahead of South Africa at the same stage, but Steyn showed why he was named South Africa’s cricketer of the year earlier this year, taking two wickets off his first two deliveries to rob Bangladesh of any chance of success. Ashraful, who was batting superbly and looked as if he might possibly steer his team to victory, was caught by Boucher for 79 at nearly than a run a ball, and Roqibul Hasan was bowled for a duck. Four overs later, Albie Morkel then put Bangladesh right out of the match with two wickets in four balls, bowling Shakib for 51 off 77 balls, and Masrafe Mortaza for nought.
Naeem and Syed Rasel tried valiantly for 22 minutes to stave off the inevitable, but Syed finally fell when he was caught by Amla off Albie Morkel for seven, giving Morkel his third wicket. Brother Morne took two for 44. Earlier, South Africa made a stuttering 283 for eight. Amla and Justin Ontong got the Proteas off to an excellent start with an opening partnership of 56 before Amla was run out as the result of an unfortunate mix-up. Amla set off for a run, Ontong sent him back, and Amla slipped as he turned. He then collided with the bowler, Masrafe, giving Naeem time to take the bails off. Amla, who had looked completely in control, made 35 off 34 balls, hitting six elegant boundaries.
Jacques Kallis made his 69th ODI 50 off 73 deliveries, but was out next ball, caught by Tamim off Naeem. Most of the batsmen got some runs – AB de Villiers made 35 off 43 – but no-one was able to capitalise and score really big. Naeem was the most successful of the Bangladeshi bowlers, taking three for 60, with Shakib Al Hasan contributing two wickets and Masrafe and Syed Rasel one each. Although it was a fairly comprehensive win, coach Mickey Arthur will have plenty to mull over ahead of the second ODI at Willowmoore Park on Sunday.
The South African batting looked brittle, and he will also be concerned about the number of extras conceded – 38 in total. Bangladesh will also be disappointed that once again, when they appeared to have a chance of victory, they let it slip from their grasp.
