Bangladesh went down fighting in their Pro20 international against South Africa at the Wanderers on Wednesday, losing by 12 runs after chasing a rain-adjusted target of 122 in 14 overs.

Bangladesh won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat. The Proteas started off fairly well, with openers Herschelle Gibbs and Loots Bosman showing what exciting players they both can be.

But Gibbs was bowled by Syed Rasel for 18 off 10 balls in the fifth over, and Bosman was caught by Mohammad Ashrafal off Abdur Razzaq for 28 off 18 balls.

With the score on 71 for two, the South African momentum was broken by a violent thunderstorm, with lightning and thunderbolts that shook the stadium, and the umpires ordered the players off the field. They returned briefly — but were forced off after two deliveries by more rain.

When they returned after a total break of 49 minutes, the match had been reduced to 14 overs a side.

Justin Ontong lost his wicket immediately after the resumption of play when he top-edged an Abdur delivery to Shakin Al Hasan at square leg, for six, and the rest of the team appeared to have lost their heads after the storm. The only player who made any meaningful runs was 'keeper AB de Villiers, who scored 36 off 26 balls.

So Bangladesh were set the rain-adjusted target of 122 for victory at eight runs an over, and for the first eight overs, they were well on target.

An upset appeared to be on the cards until the 10th over, when captain Johan Botha managed to restrict the visitors to just three runs. New boy Johann Louw did the same in the 12th over, and the stuffing went out of the Bangladesh charge.

Speedster Dale Steyn, returning to action after being laid low by a bad spell of sinusitis, took two wickets in the 13th over to put matters beyond reach.

Bangladesh finished on 109 for eight. Tamim Iqbal was the top scorer — with 25 off 24 balls — and Mohammad Ashrafal made 21.

The teams meet again in Potchefstroom on Friday in the first of three One-Day Internationals.

The second match will be played in Benoni on Sunday and the third in East London next Wednesday. The ODIs will be followed by two Test matches.

The teams:

South Africa: Johan Botha (captain), AB de Villiers (wk), Loots Bosman, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Johann Louw, Albie Morkel, Morné Morkel, Justin Ontong, Dale Steyn.

Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Raqibul Hasan, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain.

Sapa

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