Bangladesh lost captain Mushfiqur Rahim early before overtaking South Africa's first innings total on the third day of the opening test at Chittagong on Thursday.

The hosts reached 252 for five at lunch for a lead of four runs against the world's number one-ranked test side after resuming on their overnight score of 179-4.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (32) and wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das (29) were at the crease for Bangladesh, who had earlier stunned the tourists 2-1 in the one-day international series.

Dale Steyn, the world's top-ranked test bowler, struck a blow in the morning session by dismissing Rahim (28) leg before.

South Africa captain Hashim Amla challenged the umpire's original not-out verdict against the appeal and managed to get it overturned.

Shakib and Das batted resolutely before steering Bangladesh, who have lost all of their previous eight meetings against South Africa, past their opponents' first-innings total of 248 with an unbroken stand of 57 for the sixth wicket.