South Africa [Images] fought back to defeat Bangladesh by 12 runs in a tightly fought, rain-shortened Twenty20 [Images] match on Wednesday.

Bangladesh needed 122 to win under the Duckworth-Lewis system after South Africa was restricted to 118-7. The match was reduced to 14 overs per side because of rain.

Bangladesh looked well-placed early to record an upset win in the one-off encounter at New Wanderers Stadium, reaching 56 for 1 off just five overs after some explosive batting from captain Mohammad Ashraful [Images].

Ashraful hit five fours for his 21 off just 10 balls before being bowled by Johan Botha, while opener Tamil Iqbal top-scored with 25, hitting four fours in 24 balls.

But aside from Naeem Islam (15) and Mushfiqur Rahim (12), no other batsmen reached double figures as Bangladesh slumped to 109 for 8.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn starred with the ball for South Africa, taking two wickets for 18 off three overs.

Rory Kleinveldt, making his Twenty20 international debut, took Junaid Siddique's wicket with his first ball, as the Bangladesh opener gloved a swinging ball to wicketkeeper A B de Villiers. But then Ashraful went on the offensive, striking three fours as Kleinveldt went for 20 runs off his only over.

South Africa raced to 43 off 4.1 overs before losing opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs [Images] for 18. His opening partner, Loots Bosman, fell in the next over for 28, leaving the hosts on 58-2.

De Villiers then stabilised the innings, top-scoring with 36, but South Africa suffered a mini-collapse toward the end of its innings, losing three wickets for the addition of just four runs in the space of two overs.