Brilliant AB decimates Tigers

Host South Africa defeated Bangladesh by 104 runs, riding on AB de Villiers’ magnificent 176-run innings in their second ODI at Boland Park Wednesday. Chasing a massive target of 354, Bangladesh’s innings folded on 249 in 47.5 overs. Bangladesh openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes formed a 44-run opening wicket partnership before the former got out for 23 in the eighth over. No 3 batsman Liton Kumar Das also departed quickly for 14.

Congratulations to Man of the Match, the incomparable @ABdeVilliers17! pic.twitter.com/ML7KU4q2gZ

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 18, 2017

Imrul then formed a 93-run stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim. But after Imrul got out for 68, Bangladesh soon lost the key wicket of all-rounder Shakib al Hasan (five). When Shakib got out, Bangladesh’s score was 171 for the loss of four wickets in the 31st over and since then, the Tigers lost the plot. Mushfiq, who scored a century in the first ODI at De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley Sunday, was caught at point during the 34th over and Bangladesh’s hope of chasing down the huge total had already faded by that time. Mushfiq’s 60-run knock came off 70 balls with four boundaries and one six.

Round of applause for these career-best performances. #ProteaFire @ABdeVilliers17 @andileluck19 #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/8t6jOzyI80

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 18, 2017

No 7 batsman Sabbir Rahman (17) and all-rounder Mahmudullah (35) scored some late runs but it was obviously not enough, considering the asking run-rate. Seamer Andile Phehlukwayo was the best bowler for South Africa with four wickets while leg-spinner Imran Tahir picked up three. Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers was adjudged man of the match for his outstanding innings.

A very happy captain Faf du Plessis is delighted with the win & hopes to wrap up the series in East London this weekend. #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/WANk3GWecz

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 18, 2017

Earlier, Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza won the toss and elected to field first this time around. Bangladesh made one change from the playing XI from the first ODI as all-rounder Saifuddin was dropped in favour of a fit-again Tamim. South Africa openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla, who formed a world record stand while chasing 279 in the Kimberley ODI, once again formed a solid opening wicket partnership in Paarl. But finally, Shakib broke the partnership in the 18th over as De Kock was the first batsman to go for 46. The scoreboard read 90 then. Shakib then cleaned up Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis after just three balls and brought Bangladesh back into the game for a few overs at least. Then Amla and De Villiers added 136 for the third wicket. De Villiers was brilliant from the beginning of his innings and played some beautiful shots.

ODI century number 25 for AB de Villiers! Puts him joint sixth in the all time century makers with the great Kumar Sangakkara. #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/c93p7ta34x

— ICC (@ICC) October 18, 2017

Pacer Rubel Hossain took the wicket of Amla as he missed his 27th ODI century by just 15 runs. De Villiers batted brilliantly at the other end and reached his 25th ODI ton in just 68 balls. After crossing his century, his strike rate became even more venomous as he scored his next 76 runs in just 35 balls. Eventually De Villiers was out for 176 off just 104 balls; his knock composed 15 boundaries and seven sixes. Riding on De Villiers’ superb century, South Africa made 353/6 in their stipulated 50 overs on a below-par outfield at Boland Park. It was the highest total recorded at the ground.

104 balls. 15 fours. 7 sixes. 176 runs.

Take a bow @ABdeVilliers17! ? #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/N7C9Vi891A — ICC (@ICC) October 18, 2017

Rubel took four wickets for the Tigers, conceding 62, while Shakib picked up two. The third and final ODI will be played at Buffalo Park in East London Sunday. BRIEF SCORE Bangladesh 249 in 47.5 overs (Imrul 68, Mushfiq 60, Phehlukwayo 4/40) lost to South Africa 353/6 (De Villiers 176, Amla 85, Rubel 4/62) by 104 runs South Africa: Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (C), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe bin Mortaza (C), Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed