AB de Villiers smashed a career-best 176 to set up a series-clinching 104-run victory for South Africa in the second One-Day International against Bangladesh at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday.
South Africa piled on a massive 353 for 6 after being sent in to bat and though Bangladesh began the chase positively, it was bowled out for 249.
De Villiers had ten fours and a six to his name when he brought up his 25th ODI century off just 68 balls. He then grew in confidence as he smacked another five fours and six sixes off the next 36 deliveries.
De Villiers dominated a 136-run partnership for the third wicket with Amla (85 in 92 balls) and a 111-run partnership for the fourth wicket with JP Duminy (30).
It was de Villiers's first international innings in four months -- he wasn't required to bat during South Africa’s ten-wicket win in the first ODI in Kimberley -- and there were some initial nerves. However, Hashim Amla's presence calmed him as he got back into the groove with a 104-ball blitz.
De Villiers already holds the records for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODIs, and was on course to break Chris Gayle’s record of scoring the fastest ODI double-century, in just 138 balls. Source: ICC
But the South African couldn't make the most of a low full toss from Rubel Hossain as he holed out to deep midwicket. Rubel ended with 4 for 62.
The surface seemed like a batting paradise when de Villiers was at the crease, but in truth the outfield was quite slow after three days of rain. In fact, de Villiers's team-mates struggled to time the ball, hitting only five fours and a six between them.
Quinton de Kock and Amla had put on a 90-run opening stand when Shakib Al Hasan snapped up two wickets in three balls to give Bangladesh an opening. Little did it know what havoc de Villiers would unleash.
Bangladesh had a tall order before it and Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes added 44 for the first wicket, with the latter scoring 68 off 77 balls. Mushfiqur Rahim chipped in with 60 too.
But Kayes's dismissal saw Bangladesh slip to 162 for 3 in the 29th over and the fight slowly dissipated.
Andile Phehlukwayo wrapped up the game with career-best figures of 4 for 40.