In the first ODI of the three-ODI series, Bangladesh stunned Temba Bavuma's side to register a 38-run victory after posting a highly impressive 315-run total in the first innings. The defeat worked as a wake-up call for hosts as they produced a clinical performance in the second ODI at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
Rabada gets new ball talking
Fast-bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada became the architect of the win as he rushed through Bangladesh batting order. Rabada struck thrice with the new ball as he got the wickets of opener Liton Das, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and Yasir Ali. All three batters scored a half-century in the first game.
Afif rebuilds
With Lungi Ngidi and Wayne Parnell doing damage with the new ball as well, Bangladesh were reduced to 34/5 in 12.4 overs. Afif Hossain took the initiative and helped steady the ship with the help of Mahmudullah. However chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi got the breakthrough and got the wicket of Mahmudullah in the 28th over. The former Bangladesh skipper scored 25 runs from 44 deliveries in the 60-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Afif found his partner in Mehidy Hasan. Afif's 72-run knock helped Bangladesh get near the 200-run mark.
Rabada strikes again
In the death overs, Rabada struck again to get the wicket of the left-handed batter in the 46th over. The southpaw struck nine fours in his 72-run knock and shared an 86-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Rabada struck again in the 46th over and got the wicket o Mehidy. The lower-order batter scored 38 runs from 49 deliveries. The tailenders struggled to score in death overs as Bangladesh posted 194/9 in first innings.
Bangladesh also benefitted with Parnell getting injured early in his first spell. Skipper Temba Bavuma took the initiative to complete his quota of overs. Rabada finished with five wickets for 39 runs. Coincidentally, the 26-year-old’s last fifer came against Bangladesh as well. On his ODI debut in 2015, Rabada registered his best bowling figures of 6/16 in Mirpur.
26-balll fifty
Chasing a mediocre total, South Africa got off to a flier with Quinton de Kock going all guns blazing. The wicketkeeper-batter turned on the IPL mode and got to his half-century from just 26 deliveries.
Janneman Malan was the first to fall as he got bowled by Mehidy. De Kock could not get a big score and departed for a 41-ball 62. The southpaw scored 62 runs from 41 deliveries including nine fours and two sixes.
Verreynne anchors
After De Kock fell to Shakib Al Hasan, Kyle Verreyne took control of the run chase and shared an 82-run partnership with skipper Bavuma. Afif did some damage with the ball as well and got the wicket of Bavuma. Verreynne got to his half-century and remained unbeaten for 58 off 77 deliveries as South Africa won the second ODI with 76 balls to spare.
The third and final ODI of the series will be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion on March 23.
