South Africa edge ahead after Steyn's 400th

Dale Steyn became the 13th bowler to take 400 Test wickets but South Africa's part-time spinners enjoyed most of the success on an absorbing day of grind on both sides. South Africa's bowlers showed more intent and aggression than in the first Test but were made to toil on a slow, dry surface that had been run ragged as early as day one.

There were signs of substantial turn, which will suit Bangladesh later on, and it placed added importance on the hosts making the most of what will likely be the best batting conditions of the game. Mushfiqur Rahim's 65, which included a 94-run fourth-wicket stand with Mahmudullah formed the core of the Bangladesh challenge, which started off strongly but fell away later on. Mushfiqur's dismissal prompted a collapse of 4 for 31 in the third session to hand South Africa the advantage.

The predicted rain did not arrive but clouds lurked around the Shere Bangla stadium for most of the morning session. The moisture they held did not provide any swing for Steyn but he was still South Africa's best bowler, much-improved from the first Test.

He should have had a wicket in the third over of the day when Tamim Iqbal flayed at a full delivery but the resultant edge was out of reach of debutant wicketkeeper Dane Vilas and Dean Elgar could not hold on as the ball dipped on him. Steyn did not have to wait too long for his milestone, though. Tamim could not resist the tempting length and was loose again in Steyn's next over when he chased a wide ball and edged to first slip, where Hashim Amla collected at chest height.

That wicket made Steyn the joint-fastest seamer to 400 Test wickets, equalling Richard Hadlee's 80 appearances, and the second fastest to the landmark overall. He is the second South African bowler in the 400-plus Test wickets club after Shaun Pollock, who finished with 421 wickets. After the early success, Steyn seemed set to add a few more to his tally but, until he generated reverse-swing later in the day, Bangladesh defied him.

Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque showed impeccable judgment outside off stump and the temperament to withstand the pressure the South African attack piled on them. As a pack, the South Africa pacers forced the batsmen to play more than they did in Chittagong with more attacking lines and lengths. They also used the bouncer more frequently, with Morne Morkel, bowling first change, relying on his stock short ball to intimidate the batsmen.

Bangladesh, to their credit, were not so easily bowled over. Imrul and Mominul got into good positions to play the pull and rode the bounce, while waiting to target the spinner. Simon Harmer was introduced in the 12th over and showed confidence in tossing the ball up. The batsmen showed equal confidence in dispatching it.

The runs they took off Harmer and part-timer Stiaan van Zyl provided the cushion to see out the pre-lunch squeeze. Steyn returned for a spell, and South Africa only gave away 12 runs in seven overs before the break, but Bangladesh clung on.

JP Duminy made his first appearance in the second session and it proved to be a good move. Mominul tried to play a late dab off him but was cramped for room and he edged to Vilas, who took his first Test catch. Nine deliveries later, Duminy rapped Imrul on the back pad in front of middle and off to push Bangladesh towards a mini-collapse.

Vernon Philander's afternoon spell asked questions of Bangladesh's discipline, particularly when he found some movement as the clouds cleared. He got shape into the right-hander and fished for the edge. Steyn's reverse-swing threatened to take out the captain when a ball shaved Mushfiqur's off stump on its way through to Vilas, but no damage was done. Steyn was denied again when Mahmudullah, on 18, was given out lbw off his bowling but the review and replays showed an inside edge.

Bangladesh enjoyed relief off Harmer and Morkel, whose threat was negated by the batsmen's growing confidence, and went to tea in a strong position at 154 for 3. Mushfiqur brought up his half-century, off 79 balls, as the final session got underway and was readying to ensure the day belonged to Bangladesh. He rotated strike with Mahmudullah and milked the spinners as South Africa seemed to be allowing the game to, as Amla would say, "drift."

The captain brought Steyn back as soon as he felt initiative needed to be regained and he struck. Mahmudullah sent a full, straight delivery with a hint of reverse-swing to short midwicket where Temba Bavuma was stationed. Still, Bangladesh were in control, with Shakib Al Hasan joining Mushfiqur.

The pair built steadily. Shakib targeted Harmer and the batsmen looked settled when Amla pulled a rabbit out of the hat. With substantial turn on offer, Elgar was brought on for some part time left-arm spin and snagged the big wicket. Mushfiqur came forward to defend a loopy delivery outside off, the ball turned away and bounced and seemed to take the edge on the way through to Vilas. Paul Reiffel gave him out but Mushfiqur reviewed. Snicko showed only a faint spike which may have been the bat hitting the ground but the decision was upheld. Mushfiqur was visibly upset as he walked off, leaving Shakib to marshal the rest.

Liton Das showed none of the composure of the first Test when he got a leading edge to sweep Duminy into Elgar's hands. The Bangladesh tail was staring at facing the second new ball but Amla kept Elgar on, perhaps for a little longer, hoping to take advantage of the turn. Shakib switched to attacking mode to try and add what he could but his fun ended when Steyn and Morkel were brought back on. With the ball still reversing, Morkel got one to swerve across Shakib and took a top edge to gully. Steyn bagged one more to end South Africa's day strongly and leave Amla with the option of calling on the new ball tomorrow morning.