Proteas reduce deficit against Bangladesh before rain stops play

South Africa reduced first-innings deficit margin to 17 as openers Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl remained unbeaten before rain brought a pre-mature end to third day's play of the first Test against Bangladesh at Chittagong.

Earlier, Liton Das scored his first Test fifty and shared an 82-run stand with Shakib Al Hasan to help Bangladesh build their biggest lead, 78, against any team when batting second.

For South Africa, Dale Steyn and Simon Harmer picked up three wickets apiece. Steyn, who is now just one wicket short of snaring 400 scalps in Tests, bowled with brisk pace and good lines.

Elgar and Van Zyl were able to reduce the deficit quickly before the rain arrived late in the day and play was called off.

For the second successive day, more than 20 overs were lost. At present, the game is evenly poised and if rain stays away, there is a high possibility of getting a result.